ESorry to disagree. I do not accept the principle of ‘collective punishment’. Those who lawfully participate in trail hunts should not have their sport banned because others break the law.
Since the introduction of the Hunting Act 2004 many hunts have turned to trail hunting as an alternative to live quarry hunting. This involves a pack of hounds following an artificially laid, animal-based scent. It closely mimics the hunting that took place before the ban, but does not involve a hunt for a live fox, so is not banned.
If an offence to be committed it is necessary because a wild animal has been hunted intentionally, then the penalty can be an unlimited fine. Between 2013 and 2019, a total of 471 individuals were prosecuted under the Hunting Act and 227 individuals were found guilty.
Of course, anyone who believes that an offence has taken place during a trail hunt, should report the matter to the police.
DS.