Scotland bans hunting with dogs, Britain must follow

[Guest guest]

Date 18:18 Jul 31

Subject League Against Cruel Sports 31st July 2002

 

Scottish Court Case decision

 

The Court of Session in Scotland has now pronounced on the court case on

the Scottish Parliament's decision to make hunting with dogs illegal from

August 1st (tomorrow).

 

The details of the case can be found on the League's website at

www.league.uk.com and the actual result is linked to from there.

 

We are delighted at the judgement by Lord Nimmo Smith that the Act banning

hunting with dogs in Scotland is compliant with the European Convention on

Human Rights (ECHR). We have long taken the view that there is no human

right to abuse wild animals for sport and the Presiding Officer of the

Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Law Officers, and many prominent Scottish

law

yers agreed with us.

 

Les Ward, Chairman of SCAHD (the Scottish Campaign Against Hunting with Dog

s, which comprises the League Against Cruel Sports, Advocates for Animals a

nd the International Fund for Animal Welfare) said: " We are delighted that

the Judge has confirmed that hunting will end on 1st August. At long last

this barbaric sport will no longer be practised on Scottish soil and foxes,

hares and mink will be spared the unbearable suffering of being chased and

killed by a pack of dogs.

 

" We believe that hunting is cruel and unnecessary and MSPs were fully

justified in following their constituents' wish to ban it. The will of the

Scottish Parliament was always clear on this issue, and this has been

reflected

by the judge's decision today. "

 

Mike Hobday, speaking on behalf of the League Against Cruel Sports, said, "

This decision will add further pressure on the Government to bring forward

legislation that will clearly bring an end to the gratuitous cruelty of

hunting with dogs in England and Wales. "

 

(Britain)

Action point: please write to, email, or fax your MP saying that, with

hunting illegal in Scotland from August 1st, there is no reason at all for a

clear and total ban on hunting with dogs to be included in the Government's

promised new law. The Government must act now. No delays!