Shropshire countryside still divided 20 years on from Hunting Act

Hunting with hounds has been happening in the UK since the 16th Century.

Trail hunting involves using a rag soaked in animal scent, which is then dragged along to lay a trail for the hunt to follow.

It mimics the scent of a wild animal – so the hounds chase that, not a fox. The intention is to replicate the pursuit across the countryside, without the need to kill animals.

The Hunting Act banned using dogs to hunt wild mammals – foxes, hares, deer and mink – across England and Wales.

Whilst it actually came into force in 2005, the bill was characterised by heated debate from its introduced to the Commons on 9 September 2004 until it gained Royal Assent on 18 November.

On the day of the bill’s final reading, two protestors invaded the Commons chamber, and a demonstration was held with thousands of protestors campaigning against the Hunting Act in Parliament Square.