This is your opportunity to tick “Yes” to the historic idea of banning hunting with dogs.

This question asks about the cruel practise of “terrier work” – putting dogs underground to fight with foxes and other animals. If you think there is no place for this in a civilised society – tick “No”.

This question regards “trail hunting” - a sport invented to get round the 2004 hunting ban in England and Wales. Scotland banned it when they strengthened their ban and it shouldn’t be allowed in Northern Ireland either – tick “Yes”.

This question regards holding landowners accountable for any illegal hunting that happens on their land. This would help ensure that any permission for access to their land would be made very carefully. We think this is a very helpful suggestion, so recommend ticking “Yes”

This question regards making sure everyone closely involved in illegal hunting could be prosecuted, so “Yes” should once again be ticked.

This question regards the penalties that should be possible for someone who illegally hunts an animal with dogs. Penalties are up to the courts to decide but it would seem right that they should be able to include a prison term for the worst cases. We recommend ticking “A mixture of the above”.

This question asks if there should be any exemptions. Our experience is that exemptions become loopholes in the law and should be avoided at all costs. Answer “None”.

This question is about the danger of “unintended consequences”. This Bill was based on a recently passed Scottish law that was rigorously scrutinised for “unintended consequences” and passed with flying colours, so tick “No”.

This question gives you the opportunity to “Fully” support the banning of this unnecessary and cruel activity.

These questions are for those who think hunting with dogs should be able to continue so we recommend that there is no need for an answer to these two questions.

This question asks how the Bill could be improved. We think it’s fit for purpose, but if you have any suggestions, there’s space for you to make them.

This question seems to repeat question 12 but it’s good that there are two opportunities to make it very clear that hunting with dogs is cruel, unnecessary and should be consigned to the history books. If you’re like us, you’ll tick “Yes” with pride.

Hunting Bill Consultation 2024

Consultation Guidance

The League Against Cruel Sports and the Ulster Society for the Protection of Animals are encouraging as many people as possible to respond positively to the Hunting Bill Consultation 2024. This is an enormous opportunity for Northern Ireland to introduce a ban on hunting with dogs – for good.

The questions in the consultation are short and sweet. In most cases, it’s obvious how anyone wanting to see an end to the wantonly cruel practise of hunting down animals with dogs should answer them.

The first three questions are straight forward, asking if you’re an individual or representing an organisation; whether you’d like your response kept anonymous or public and whether you live in Northern Ireland or not. On balance, it would be good if you opted to have your response made public, but it’s not essential.

Click the drop down arrow on questions four to 16 to read our recommended responses. The link to the consultation is at the bottom of this page, and will open in a new window so you can refer back to this page if you need to.

This is your opportunity to tick “Yes” to the historic idea of banning hunting with dogs.
This question asks about the cruel practise of “terrier work” – putting dogs underground to fight with foxes and other animals. If you think there is no place for this in a civilised society – tick “No”.
This question regards “trail hunting” - a sport invented to get round the 2004 hunting ban in England and Wales. Scotland banned it when they strengthened their ban and it shouldn’t be allowed in Northern Ireland either – tick “Yes”.
This question regards holding landowners accountable for any illegal hunting that happens on their land. This would help ensure that any permission for access to their land would be made very carefully. We think this is a very helpful suggestion, so recommend ticking “Yes”
This question regards making sure everyone closely involved in illegal hunting could be prosecuted, so “Yes” should once again be ticked.
This question regards the penalties that should be possible for someone who illegally hunts an animal with dogs. Penalties are up to the courts to decide but it would seem right that they should be able to include a prison term for the worst cases. We recommend ticking “A mixture of the above”.
This question asks if there should be any exemptions. Our experience is that exemptions become loopholes in the law and should be avoided at all costs. Answer “None”.
This question is about the danger of “unintended consequences”. This Bill was based on a recently passed Scottish law that was rigorously scrutinised for “unintended consequences” and passed with flying colours, so tick “No”.
This question gives you the opportunity to “Fully” support the banning of this unnecessary and cruel activity.
These questions are for those who think hunting with dogs should be able to continue so we recommend that there is no need for an answer to these two questions.
This question asks how the Bill could be improved. We think it’s fit for purpose, but if you have any suggestions, there’s space for you to make them.
This question seems to repeat question 12 but it’s good that there are two opportunities to make it very clear that hunting with dogs is cruel, unnecessary and should be consigned to the history books. If you’re like us, you’ll tick “Yes” with pride.

Please fill in the consultation by clicking here

Thank you for your continued support in helping us protect and secure a better future for our wildlife and environment!

Hunting Bill Consultation 2024

Your guide to responding

Consultation Guidance

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