Fact sheets › Wildlife crime
Wildlife crime
Illegal fox hunting
Hunting a wild mammal, including a fox, with dogs has been banned in England and Wales since the Hunting Act 2004. Despite the ban, illegal hunting still happens — sometimes disguised as legal "trail" hunting.
About fox hunting
The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs, except in tightly defined exempt circumstances. Chasing and killing a fox with a pack of hounds is illegal.
Some illegal hunting is concealed as "trail hunting" — where hounds are supposedly following a pre-laid artificial scent — but a real fox is chased instead. Evidence of hounds in full cry after a live fox is a strong indicator of illegal hunting.
Signs to look for
- A pack of hounds chasing or killing a live fox
- Riders or hunt staff encouraging hounds onto a fox, or blocking escape routes
- Terriers and spades being used to dig out a fox that has gone to ground
- Hounds out of control across roads, railways or private land while in pursuit
The law
The Hunting Act 2004 prohibits hunting a wild mammal with dogs in England and Wales. Hare coursing is also banned under the same Act.
Related offences can include causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and criminal damage or public order offences linked to the activity.
How to report fox hunting
If you've witnessed fox hunting, please report it to us. Give as much detail as you can safely gather — what you saw, exactly where and when, descriptions of any people, animals or vehicles involved, and any photos or video. Do not put yourself at risk or confront anyone.
If an animal is in immediate danger, or a crime is in progress, call 999.