Arrests made under Scotland’s new fox hunt laws

Since the new law came into force, saboteur groups have concentrated protests and “evidence-gathering” on several hunts in the Scottish Borders.

Robbie Marsland, Scotland director of The League against Cruel Sports welcomed the arrests.

He said: “I think the Scottish government has done a pretty good job with this legislation.

“The police are investigating anyone who wants to test the legislation and if they are believed to have breached it, they are being arrested.”

Many landowners and countryside organisations continue to argue for hunting to be used as a means of controlling predators around livestock.

Nine hunts continue to operate in Scotland with several used for drag-hunting – where an artificial scent is laid by supporters as an alternative to traditional fox hunting.

Mr Marsland hopes a meeting with the government later this month will lead to this also being banned.

He added: “Ministers don’t have to go back to parliament to ban drag-hunting.

“If they feel that it is being used as a smokescreen they can ban it as well.”