A month ago, the government launched its long-awaited consultation on how to ban ‘trail hunting’. This is a once in a generation opportunity to blow away the smokescreen of ‘trail hunting’ and close the many loopholes in the 2004 Hunting Act.
This leaves you just eight weeks to complete the consultation, which closes on the18th June 2026. To makes this process quick, easy and effective the HSA has produced guidance which you can find here.
One of the key things to remember is that your submission should be individual and, where possible, capture your direct experience of hunts. By way of example, we reproduce below three accounts from the hundreds we receive on our Tip-Off line every year.
Because of the violence endemic in the hunting world, we have removed any identifying information.
We regularly hear from country people who are traumatised by the sudden arrival of the hunt into their area:
“The hunt – several men on horses and around fifty hounds – were in the little scrap of
woodland just west of XXX Farm just outside the village. There was a lot of shouting, hounds were manic, baying crazily and we heard the most terrible screaming of I can only assume a fox being ripped apart. We were on a footpath close-by walking our dog. The animal screaming only lasted a minute or two but all I could think of was to get away. I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture, but my old dog was also really frightened and to be honest I was afraid for her. So, we legged it. We felt afraid, upset and so incredibly sad for the fox as well and bloody angry that this barbaric activity still goes on.”
It is also common for people out enjoying the peace of the countryside to have their experience totally ruined when the hunt shows up:
“We saw a large fox hunt, all in uniform. Two foxes ran past us, followed closely by the hunt. They ran past us and I shouted at them, they said they were following a pre-laid trail and it’s not their fault if the foxes get in the way. They had about 30 dogs with them, hunting calls being used and multiple split up horse groups. The dogs were yapping and
very excited, with many people stopped on the roads watching, looking like they were
watching for the fox.”
Every year, we receive reports of companion animals being terrorised or even killed by hunts:
“Hunt arrived unannounced into the village. A single male rider was trying to control 20+
dogs with just a horn. The dogs were out of control and running into gardens and private land that residents house their horses in. Residents were frightened for their animal’s safety and had to rush to get chickens locked away. They were running and pushing my husband on the playing field, and it was lucky that children weren’t playing unsupervised as it would have been frightening. They were seen chasing a fox that lives in the village out into some residential gardens then out into the field.”
If you have had any similar experiences with hunts – and we know many of you have- please record them when you complete your consultation.
Your contribution is important – please complete the consultation today!
The government has launched a public consultation on Trail Hunting – this is our chance to stop cruel hunting for good. You can read the HSA’s guidance and take part in the consultation here. The deadline is 18th June 2026 – make sure your voice is heard.
Take part in the Trail Hunting Consultation now:
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