There will be no more fox hunting in Fife after the region’s foxhounds group disbanded for ‘financial reasons’.
Animal welfare activists are “overjoyed” at the news – which marks the end of 200 years of foxhunting in Fife.
The closure of Fife Foxhounds coincides with plans for tighter laws in Scotland around hunting with dogs.
Last month, the Scottish Parliament passed the Hunting with Dogs Bill – with the aim of closing loopholes in existing legislation protecting wild animals.
However, Fife Foxhounds treasurer Graham Scott insisted the reasons for the closure were “purely financial”.
And he gave an assurance over the future welfare of the foxhound pack.
“The huntsman and hounds are moving to England later in the spring,” he added.
Hunting an ‘absolute disgrace’
Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell took to Twitter to describe the act of fox hunting as an “absolute disgrace”.
He added: “Goodbye and good riddance”.
This fox hunt was an absolute disgrace to Fife, so goodbye and good riddance.
But stay vigilant, because animal abuse and the sick individuals who perpetrate it often go underground 🦊 @courier_fife https://t.co/zBJdns46qi
— Mark Ruskell (@markruskell) January 31, 2023
But he warned the change in legislation might fail to stop clandestine fox hunts.
“Stay vigilant,” he said.
“Because animal abuse and the sick individuals who perpetrate it often go underground.”
End of Fife Hunt ‘no coincidence’ say activists
The Hunt Saboteurs are a group taking direct action against fox hunting, which they describe as “barbaric”.
They turn up at fox hunts with the aim of saving pursued foxes.
A spokesperson for Hunt Saboteurs said: “We are overjoyed at the news that the Fife Foxhounds are closing down.
“It’s certainly of no coincidence that this announcement comes as the Hunting with Dogs Bill was passed just last week.
“Hunt saboteurs and monitors have worked tirelessly over the years to expose this hunt and their barbaric activities.
“Above all, we welcome the news for our wildlife who deserve a life free of persecution.”
‘Poor decision’
A source close to the Fife fox hunting community criticised the Hunting with Dogs Bill as a “thinly veiled attack on the countryside”.
Writing a public post on Facebook, Leslie Bain said: “Be clear this legislation will not save a single fox. In fact it will cause the exact opposite. Farmers and landowners will now have no alternative other than to shoot any fox seen on their land.
“I am so sad for all those involved in watching over 200 years of work in the careful management and breeding of the Fife hounds disappear thanks to politicians who have no knowledge with which to base their poor decision on.”
Mr Bain suggested he had nothing to add to his statement when we approached him.
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