Secret footage allegedly shows flouting of fox hunting ban

The news comes as campaigners claim the ban on fox hunting with dogs is routinely flouted while supporters say they take care to abide by the law.

The Jedforest Hunt was filmed by the League Against Cruel Sports last month, with two men due to appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Holyrood passed legislation in 2002 banning the practice of fox hunting with dogs but using packs of hounds is still legal. Lord Bonomy began a review of the fox hunting legislation in January this year.

Under the law, hounds can be used to drive foxes from cover and towards gunmen – the practice supporters insist they follow.

But the League Against Cruel Sports said its video shows a fox being chased by a pack of hounds on two different occasions.

Referring to the second instance, when the fox disappeared, Robbie Marsland, director of the league, said: “That’s hunting, that’s not flushing with guns and we didn’t see that fox again, I’m afraid.”

He added: “We think there are some quite small changes that can be made to the legislation which would stop it being possible to take a pack of hounds out into the countryside and chase and kill wild mammals.

“The parliament wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore and the Scottish people would know and be secure in the knowledge that fox hunting was really banned in Scotland.

“Scotland would be the first place in the UK to really ban fox hunting.”

But the director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance argued huntsmen are careful to ensure they follow the law.

Jamie Stewart told BBC Scotland: “We would hope very much that Lord Bonomy will review and recognise that the act is enforceable and indeed enforced.

“There’s been 210 cases since 2002.

“It’s got a 57 per cent conviction rate, so the general public should feel confident that the police are able to identify areas where there is criminal activity and prosecute those who’re responsible.

“The protocols within the mounted packs is such that there has not been a successful prosecution against them simply because there’s been no evidence of any illegal action.”

A spokesperson for the police said: “Police Scotland has charged two men, aged 23 and 65, under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

“Both men will appear at Jedburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

“We work closely with a range of partners to tackle wildlife crime.

“We would urge members of the public to report any suspicious activity to us as quickly as possible to allow us to investigate suspected crimes promptly.”