Fox hunting with hounds was banned in England and Wales in 2004 but illegal hunting continues with poor enforcement and significant welfare harms.
Fox hunting causes severe welfare harm through the chase itself: foxes run until exhausted, burrow underground and are dug out, and are killed by a pack of hounds in a violent, prolonged death. Even legal trail hunting maintains the culture and infrastructure of illegal killing. Badger setts are blocked to prevent foxes escaping underground, itself illegal but widespread.