The Workers Party, in line with its established policy and manifesto commitments on these issues, and in response to the current consultation exercise, supports the proposed legislation banning Hunting Wild Mammals with Dogs.

This Bill has been supported by the League Against Cruel Sports and the USPCA and, if passed, will also ban trail hunting and effectively outlaw flushing with dogs for “pest control”.

Already illegal in England, Wales and Scotland, Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where it still remains legal to hunt mammals for sport.

Banning Hunting Wild Mammals with Dogs

1. Principle: Hunting wild mammals with dogs frequently subjects these animals to prolonged suffering and stress. The chase can result in severe injuries before the final kill, raising significant animal welfare issues.

2. Ecological Balance: Wild mammals play crucial roles in their ecosystems. Disrupting their populations can have ripple effects, upsetting the natural balance and potentially leading to overpopulation of certain species, loss of biodiversity, and habitat degradation.

3. Public Safety: Hunting with dogs can pose risks to public safety, especially in areas where humans and pets might be present. Dogs off-leash during hunts can inadvertently cause accidents or harm to other animals, pets, or even people.

4. Alternative Methods: There are more humane and effective methods for controlling wild mammal populations, such as non-lethal deterrents and habitat management that does not involve the use of dogs.

5. Cultural Shifts: Societal attitudes towards animal rights and welfare are evolving, with an increasing public abhorrence of cruel hunting practices. Banning hunting with dogs aligns with modern ethical standards and public opinion.

Banning the hunting of wild mammals with dogs is a necessary step towards more humane wildlife management, ecological preservation, and public safety. This ban would reflect a commitment to ethical treatment of animals and a respect for the natural environment.

It is also vital that such legislation is effective and enforced. Penalties must fit the crime. Conditional discharges and derisory fines are not a disincentive for criminals. It is frequently the case that even when wildlife criminals are brought to court the fines or sentences they receive are pathetic and not a disincentive. There must be provision for sentences to be increased to provide effective enforcement and discourage these crimes.

Wildlife crime must be made notifiable and statistics accurately compiled and maintained so that resources can be properly targeted, otherwise it is unknown how many wildlife crimes are being committed and where the hotspots for offenders are. The law and legislative enforcement must, unlike at present, be properly funded and resourced.

It is also vital to ensure that changes are made to make it easier for the public to play an important role in recognising, reporting and recording wildlife crime.

It will be necessary to avoid the many loopholes and exemptions that often exist in protective legislation for wildlife.

Chasing and killing mammals with dogs for so-called “sport” has no place in today’s society. The cruel and wanton killing of wild animals must end.

It is time to make hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland illegal. The current situation also provides a cover for those engaged in the illegal and barbarous activity of badger baiting. It is important that legislation removes potential exemptions that may facilitate hunts from exploiting loopholes to conduct or conceal illegal activities.

The Workers Party calls for a ban on hunting (a relic of an elitist, anachronistic and cruel past) including a ban on “trail hunting” which is often used as a smokescreen for illegal hunting and the prohibition of terrier work, which often leads to damage of badger setts and is a cover for badger baiters.

Legislation must clearly define hunting activities and responsibilities, allocate vicarious liability to landowners and hunt leaders and make corporate bodies and organizations accountable for members’ hunting crimes.

The authorities responsible for enforcement, including police, must be provided with appropriate search and seizure powers and suitable training and resources for effective enforcement.

Banning Hunting Wild Mammals with Dogs not only involves tackling important issues of animal welfare but also vested economic and political interests and elites in capitalist society.

7th January 2025 Workers Party

6 Springfield Road