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Coursing
is dropped from ‘hunt ban’ proposals
THE
PROPOSED ban on hunting with dogs would not be applied to hare
coursing the Labour Government admitted last week, The statement
was made last week in a consultation document when the rural
affairs minister Alun Michael took legal advice on the definition
and as to whether it could be reasonable applied to coursing.
The definition said that it was not a legal equivalent of hunting
as the object was the chase and the dogs’ stamina or agility
not the kill.
That coursing was defined as ‘recreational’ also surprise
many animal welfare organisations and ‘anti’ pressure
groups.
Another problem now facing the Government is the innocence pursuit
by dogs of rabbits or hares which under the terms of the proposals
would be outside the law. This has already been highlighted
by the Burns Inquiry into hunting and by OUR DOGS and its correspondents
on many occasions.
It is thought that the latest consultation will seek further
definitions on the key concepts of ‘cruelty’ and ‘utility’
upon which, said Mr Michael, any attempt to ban hunting would
be based.
In a brief statement issued last week the Countryside Alliance
said that they found the consultation reassuring as it showed
that the Government was continuing to act on evidence as did
Lord Burns whose report was serialised in OUR DOGS last year
by Chief Reporter Nick Mays.
Meanwhile the Countryside Alliance continues to organise for
its planned march of defiance in London on Sunday September
22nd.
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