SCOTLAND’S HUNTING ban is to be enforced by anti-hunt campaigners thanks to a new website launched earlier this month by animal welfare groups. The Scottish Hunt Crimewatch campaign has also recruited 20 volunteers to monitor hunts.

The League Against Cruel Sports, Advocates for Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare believe that some of the Scottish hunts may be breaking the law.

The campaign is based on the experience of the Hunt Crimewatch campaign set up in England and Wales by the League Against Cruel Sports. It encourages people to report any illegal activities.

Thus far, however, the original campaign’s reports to police have not resulted in one successful criminal prosecution.

Douglas Batchelor, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports said: "The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act is very clear. It is against the law to engage in a prolonged chase of a fox with a pack of dogs.

"The League Against Cruel Sports is determined to see the law obeyed and enforced. As well as training new volunteers to monitor hunts, we are reaching out to the Scottish rural population to urge them to keep an eye out for any law breaking by hunts."