In 2004 hunting with dogs was banned in England and Wales. Scotland had already imposed a ban. The Hunting Act was passed with a large parliamentary majority and wide public support, after a public enquiry and 700 hours of parliamentary debate. When it was passed, hunting groups claimed that 50,000 hunt supporters had signed a pledge to break the law, and the Countryside Alliance marched on parliament.
Hunts have exhibited great resistance and objection to being filmed by voluntary hunt monitors or other members of the public, and say this is because it is an invasion of their privacy or because hunt monitors are paedophiles intent on filming children who are taking part in the hunt.
Foxes are being killed, there is abuse, intimidation and violent assault caught on camera – it is a situation of terrible conflict and turmoil.
