The Hunting Act 2004 banned fox hunting with hounds in England and Wales, but controversy about enforcement and trail hunting alternatives continues.
Fox hunting with hounds caused animals to be pursued until exhausted and killed, or escaped with extreme stress responses. The Hunting Act was intended to prevent this welfare harm. Effective enforcement of the ban is essential to realise its welfare benefit. Ensuring that trail hunting does not facilitate illegal hunting requires robust police investigation of breaches and support for those reporting concerns.