Celebrities Back Calls For UK Government To Ban Trail Hunting

A group of celebrities and animal advocates, including actors Dame Judi Dench and Ricky Gervais, have signed an open letter by Protect the Wild urging the British government to ban trail hunting. Trail hunting involves dogs following artificial scents of foxes, but campaigners argue that it is often used as a cover for real hunting. The letter was directed to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, calling for action as the fox hunting season ramps up.

A recent report by Protect the Wild found that illegal hunting continues in the UK, with nearly 600 wild animals chased or killed in the previous hunting season. Despite a ban on hunting in 2004, loopholes have allowed this illegal activity to persist. The organization is advocating for a new Hunting of Mammals Bill to address these loopholes and put an end to hunting with dogs in the country.