A LEADING animal welfare charity has warned that the boundaries of a new hunting ban are being tested by hunts since it came into force earlier this year.

It comes as fox hunts take place across Scotland for the biggest day in the hunting calendar - Boxing Day.

The charity says since the first season under the new Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 got underway it has reported four incidents to Police Scotland which are currently being investigated.

The new legislation which passed through Parliament in January this year brought into force a number of measures which significantly curtail mounted hunting activity, including reducing the number of dogs which can be used to hunt a wild mammal to just two, instead of a full pack, and reducing the number of dogs which can be used below ground to just one.

The Act also includes a preemptive ban on trail hunting. Trail hunting is a sport which was created after hunting was banned in England and Wales following the passing of the Hunting Act in 2004. Its inclusion in the Act means trail hunting can not be established north of the border.

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Director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, Robbie Marsland said: “It’s early days but there are signs that a number of hunts are testing the new ban.

"The good news is that Police Scotland and the Scottish Government are taking this seriously. I think we are all agreed that any early attempts to get round the new law should be nipped in the bud.”

The Scottish Greens, meanwhile, said that given this is the first Boxing Day since hunting was outlawed in Scotland, police will need to be at their most vigilant to ensure the law is enforced robustly.

The party's rural affairs spokesperson, Ariane Burgess,  said she expects officers to crack down on any rogue groups.

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She added: “Scotland now has the most robust law on hunting with dogs in the UK but the activity of hunts must be scrutinised closely to see who is complying with the law and who is looking for loopholes to exploit.

“Boxing Day, a traditionally busy time for hunts, is the first true test of the success of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act.

“All eyes will be on Police Scotland and their enforcement of the hunting ban to ensure the ban is honoured and foxhounds don’t seek to exploit loopholes.

“Hunting with dogs is brutal, cruel and outdated. It has no place in a modern or progressive Scotland, and we should all take pride in this new law.

“The new law is much more robust than the previous ban, but we will be watching carefully to ensure it is effective and abided by.

”Since the Act passed, the Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire Foxhounds have ceased operations after more than 250 years and Fife Foxhounds announced a plan to switch to drag hunting instead."

The Scottish Government previously responded to concerns surrounding potential loopholes in October.

Responding to the concerns at the time, the Scottish Government said it would “continue to monitor the impact of the new law”.

A spokesperson said: “The Hunting with Dogs Act contains provisions to widen the definition of trail hunting.

“This has been included in order to prevent activities, such as drag hunting, being used as a smokescreen for illegal foxhunting.

“We will continue to monitor the impact of the new law closely to determine whether enacting this provision is necessary.

“We would urge anyone who suspects that a wildlife crime to report it to Police Scotland.”