RSPCA: Hunting Act marks five years of history

Thursday, 18 February 2010 12:00 AM

It was five years ago today that hunting wild animals with dogs became illegal and the RSPCA is today celebrating the anniversary of the Hunting Act that continues to prevent cruelty to wildlife across England and Wales.

RSPCA's Director of Animal Welfare Promotion, John Rolls says "To think that chasing and killing animals was considered a sport still disturbs me, and thanks to this Act, that cruel and pointless activity is now not only illegal, but recognised by a large majority of the public as unacceptable."

An Ipsos MORI poll* in September 2009 found that:

75% of people support the ban on fox hunting,
84% are against the reintroduction of hunting of deer
85% say hare coursing and hunting should remain illegal.

Figures reported by the International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW) show that between 2004 and 2009, over 100 people were found guilty of offences under the Hunting Act.

John added "The Act is clearly working and remains essential in deterring others from this now illegal behaviour. It has modernised a traditional countryside pursuit by removing the element of animal cruelty previously associated with it."

"Five years on, various forms of drag and trail hunting have apparently flourished and dire predictions surrounding loss of jobs and explosions in fox populations have failed to materialise. The picture of our countryside now is a lot prettier than it was five years ago. It's vitally important that this Act remains in force."

-ends-

Note for editors:

More information on the Hunting Act can be found at www.huntingact.org which is a website set up by leading animal welfare groups to help police and Crown Prosecution Service officers with the enforcement of the Hunting Act. Huntingact.org is a factual resource created by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the League Against Cruel Sports and the RSPCA. The specialist site was set up to assist relevant enforcement officials by providing clear information on the Hunting Act and the distinction between legal and illegal hunting.

* Ipsos MORI interviewed a nationally representative quota sample of 2,003 adults in GB aged 15+. Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using CAPI (Computer Aided Personal Interviewing - Laptops), as part of the Ipsos MORI Omnibus ('Capibus'). The sample design ensures that the Omnibus accurately reflects the GB population in terms of region and area types as well as respondent demographics. The survey data were weighted to the known population of this audience. Fieldwork was conducted between 4-10 September 2009. Results are based on all respondents unless otherwise stated. Where results do not sum to 100%, this may be due to multiple responses, computer rounding or the exclusion of don't knows/not stated.

For further details, please contact Sir Robert Worcester KBE DL or John Leaman at Ipsos MORI on 020 7347 3000, or see:

www.ipsosmori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/poll.aspx?oItemId=2479

RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk

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