In 2004 the government passed the Hunting Act which banned the practice of hunting mammals with dogs in England and Wales. The Act allows dogs to sniff out foxes but bans them from killing. The Act does not prevent hunters from using dogs to “drag hunt" which uses dogs to track and sniff out foxes. Proponents argue that fox hunting with dogs is a time honored tradition that supports rural communities. Opponents argue that killing foxes with dogs is cruel since the hunted animals suffer severe physiological and psychological stress during the hunt - whether they are killed or not.
13% Yes |
87% No |
9% Yes |
82% No |
4% Yes, this is a tradition that supports rural communities |
5% No, this is a cruel sport which should remain illegal |
See how support for each position on “Fox Hunting” has changed over time for 1.5m UK voters.
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See how importance of “Fox Hunting” has changed over time for 1.5m UK voters.
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Unique answers from UK users whose views extended beyond the provided choices.
@92FC2LM2yrs2Y
No but farmers should continue to shoot foxes for being threats to their livelihoods
@8SVBVLT3yrs3Y
Yes - although I greatly like animals and respect nature, I do not believe it is a cruel sport. It is nature. However, regulations on how many foxes can be hunted, where and when must be enforced.
@9LQH3MD4 days4D
But we should have oversight and recourse to take action if foxes/badger etc numbers increase to the extent that ut is detrimental to livestock. Then the government should step in to control numbers. I do not agree with fox hunting because it is a tradition.
@9LFPJP42wks2W
Only where there is a limit on the number of dogs in use at any time and the dog is only used to chase foxes out of their homes where they have been known to attack local farmstock.
@9KQLQMS 2mos2MO
I don't support the act of the sport itself but I do support the right for farmers etc to protect their live stock if threatened.
@9KB42572mos2MO
Kinda depand if you're grabbing foxs then releasing them to hunt OR hunting them because there a problem
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