Latest news with #HuntingwithDogs
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Scotsman
Renfrewshire crime: Pair charged with wildlife offences for allegedly breaching dog hunting law
Renfrewshire crime: Pair charged with wildlife offences for allegedly breaching dog hunting law | John Devlin Police Scotland said a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A man and woman have been charged with wildlife offences after allegedly breaching a dog hunting law. Renfrewshire crime: Pair charged with wildlife offences for allegedly breaching dog hunting law | John Devlin The man, 70, and woman, 50, reportedly breached the Hunting With Dogs ( Scotland ) Act 2023 on Saturday January 4 in the Houston area, in Renfrewshire . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Police Scotland said a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. Constable Michelle Williams , of Police Scotland, said: "We will continue to tackle wildlife crime and offences under the Hunting with Dogs legislation by working in partnership with a number of organisations.
STV News
23-05-2025
- STV News
Two people charged for hunting with dogs after police investigation
Two people have been charged by police for hunting wildlife with dogs in Renfrewshire. Police confirmed a 50-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man have been charged with wildlife offences under the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 following an investigation. The incident happened in the Houston area on January 4. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. Constable Michelle Williams said: 'We will continue to tackle wildlife crime and offences under the Hunting with Dogs legislation by working in partnership with a number of organisations. 'I would urge anyone with concerns about criminality involving wildlife to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
23-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Two people charged for hunting with dogs near Glasgow
A man, 70, and a woman, 50, have been snared in connection with wildlife offences under the Hunting with Dogs Act, which came into effect in 2023. The incident took place near Houston, Renfrewshire, on Saturday, January 4. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 50-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man have been charged in connection with wildlife offences under the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023, following an investigation in Renfrewshire. READ MORE: Manhunt launched after sheep-napping spree as six lambs lifted A 50-year-old woman and a 70-year-old man have been charged in connection with wildlife offences under the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023, following an investigation in Renfrewshire. Click here: — Police Scotland Renfrewshire & Inverclyde (@PSOSRenfInver) May 23, 2025 READ MORE: LIVE: Huge 999 response as police deal with Glasgow city centre incident "The incident took place in the Houston area on Saturday, 4 January, 2025. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal." Constable Michelle Williams said: 'We will continue to tackle wildlife crime and offences under the Hunting with Dogs legislation by working in partnership with a number of organisations. "I would urge anyone with concerns about criminality involving wildlife to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Fox hunting in Scotland 'still happening' two years on from 'strongest ban in UK'
A new report by the League Against Cruel Sports warned huntsmen continue to make 'brazen attempts' to exploit loopholes and flout the law. Fox hunting is still happening two years on from Scotland's new strengthened ban coming into force, a report has warned. The research by the League Against Cruel Sports found although the wildlife legislation is having a 'real impact', huntsmen are still making 'brazen attempts' to exploit loopholes and flout the law. The Record previously revealed how dozens of supposedly strict fox control licences have been issued under a new scheme since the law came into force with scant monitoring. We've also documented how at least two of Scotland's notorious established hunts have used NatureScot licences to continue their activities. However, in a sign that the law is making an impact, nearly half of the country's hunts have folded since the 2023 Act was passed. The League Against Cruel Sports hailed the 'significant progress' in implementing 'the UK's strongest anti-fox hunting legislation' in Scotland. But it also highlighted mounting evidence of determined efforts by some huntsmen to 'evade the law's intent' including suspected illegal hunting activities. Robbie Marsland, Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland at the anti-blood sports group, said: 'Two years after strengthened legislation was introduced to end fox hunting in Scotland for good, our monitoring reports both signs of progress and brazen attempts to exploit loopholes in the law. 'During the passage of the Bill, ministers were clear that hunting with dogs has 'no place in modern Scotland', that the licensing scheme would be 'rigorous' and that a license 'should be the exception'. 'Instead, what we've seen is that the issuing of these supposedly exceptional permissions has become commonplace and routine, with over 60 licenses issued this past season. 'More troubling still is that two hunt operators currently under Police Scotland investigation for illegal hunting were operating under these very licenses. 'This is not just bending the rules - it's a deliberate attempt to preserve a cruel practice that has no place in modern Scotland." He added: 'On-the-ground observation by our field staff is making it harder for hunts to operate in the shadows, and that is something to be proud of. 'One day we'll look back and see that this legislation worked, but we're not there yet.' Hunting foxes with more than two dogs is illegal in Scotland following the landmark Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) 2023. The new law was aimed at closing loopholes in previous 2002 legislation which had been deemed ineffective. However, it's still possible to hunt with a larger pack of hounds under licence provided it's strictly for reasons such as protecting livestock or wildlife. Last August, we revealed how one notorious group, the Lauderdale Hunt in the Borders, had obtained a licence to continue their activities. And in January, the Record exposed how the hunt allegedly travelled 100 miles to rampage through the Renfrewshire countryside terrorising foxes under cover of an official licence. Another hunt, the Dumfriesshire and Stewartry Foxhounds, is understood to have used the licensing scheme for a hunt earlier this year. However, the group is the latest of Scotland's hunts to shut down in the wake of the new ban, becoming the fourth of Scotland's ten established hunts to disband since 2023. It came after a 64-year-old member of the hunt was charged with assault after allegedly punching an animal rights activist in the face at the group's final meet in March. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The League also claimed its offer to assist wildlife agency NatureScot in licence monitoring was rebuffed for 'GDPR and personnel' reasons. Marsland added: 'NatureScot's acceptance of our assistance would significantly enhance monitoring without burdening their resources.' The report notes Police Scotland are currently investigating four hunts for suspected illegal hunting, including two cases where hunts were operating under NatureScot licenses. Emma Slawinski, Chief Executive of the League Against Cruel Sports, said: 'The progress being made in Scotland should give hope to everyone who wants to see fox hunting consigned to the history books. 'It's clear that with political will and proper enforcement, we can end this cruel practice for good.' NatureScot's Licensing Manager Liz McLachlan said: 'We are committed to achieving the aims of the Hunting with Dogs Act. "We carefully assess all applications to ensure that they meet legal requirements. We are aware of reports of illegal hunting and are working with stakeholders and Scottish Government officials as appropriate. "We monitor compliance with our own staff and liaise with Police Scotland when necessary.' The Scottish Government was also approached for comment.
