Friday, June 24, 2011

The hunting act

By Bob Wilkins


The hunting ban has been a very hot topic for many years, and although it was granted in 2005 there is a huge chance that it will be overturned. The hunting act 2004 was granted by parliament in the UK, and was designed to outlaw hunting with dogs. This was directed at fox hunting, but also included mink, hares, and deer. This historical decision affected thousands of people who worked within the hunting industry.

Not only did it affect the workers, supports, but also the people who carried out voluntary work for the hunt yards. There are conflicting opinions whether the sport should have been banned, and for as many supporters there were protestors that felt it was barbaric, and unnecessary. There have been many different attempts for the hunting ban to be enforced, however, they were defeated, and the sport continued.

The government carried out an investigation to see if hunting with dogs was in fact necessary, and at the time fox hunting was seen to be important. Many supporters will claim that fox hunting is in fact the most humane way to control the ever growing problem of foxes. The people who wanted it to be banned spent a great deal of their own time, and much voluntary work was carried out to prove this theory wrong.

Supporters for the hunting ban continue to campaign to ensure that it remains banned, and that the current hunting style is continued. Although many hunt supporters felt there would be a huge impact to the countryside, and the traditions behind fox hunting this does not appear to be the case. Hunting has continued, and is still as popular today as it has always been. The hunts now simply follow a fake scent to allow the same atmosphere of the original hunts. When the hunting ban was first introduced the countryside alliance believed that it would devastate the countryside. Although it has changed elements of the sport it has not caused the effect that it was believed it was likely to. Leading up to the initial hunting ban there were many people who felt passionately about it being banned. These people carried out hours of voluntary work to ensure that the message was put across to people all over the country. There were many different polls, and surveys conducted, and it was shown that a huge majority of the general public wanted to see the hunting ban brought in.

The overall discussion whether foxes need to be controlled will always be a hot subject, and it is often how they will be controlled that needs to be decided. There are several different ways that any type of vermin can be controlled, and the supporters for the hunting ban feel these should be used. The biggest issue that seems to be the problem is deciding what level of animal cruelty is acceptable.

Supporters for the hunting ban will continue to campaign tirelessly, and do a huge amount of voluntary work to ensure the 2005 hunting act is not over turned. It took many years for the government, and people to understand how important this decision was. The supporters will feel it is taking a step backwards if the act was overturned.




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