Part 2Trail hunting

Offences

I1I214Offences relating to trail hunting

1

A person commits an offence if—

a

the person engages or participates in trail hunting, and

b

the exception in section 16 does not apply.

2

In this Part—

  • “trail hunting” is the activity in which a dog is directed to find and follow an animal-based scent which has been laid for that purpose,

  • “animal-based scent” means—

    1. a

      a scent which is derived from a wild mammal, or

    2. b

      a scent which mimics, replicates or resembles the scent of a wild mammal (or which is designed to do so), whether or not that scent is derived wholly or in part from artificial ingredients.

3

A person commits an offence if—

a

the person—

i

is an owner or occupier of land, and

ii

knowingly causes or permits another person to engage or participate in trail hunting on that land, and

b

the exception in section 16 does not apply to the trail hunting.

4

A person commits an offence if—

a

the person—

i

owns or is responsible for a dog, and

ii

knowingly causes or permits another person to use the dog for trail hunting, and

b

the exception in section 16 does not apply to the trail hunting.

5

A person who commits an offence under subsection (1), (3) or (4) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or a fine not exceeding £40,000 (or both).

6

It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (3) or (4) to show that the person reasonably believed that the exception in section 16 applied to the trail hunting.

7

In this Part, an “owner” of land includes, in particular, a person who—

a

manages or controls that land, or

b

is authorised to give permission for that land to be used for trail hunting.