Fox hunting was banned under the Hunting Act 2004, but trail hunting as a legal alternative and allegations of illegal hunting continue to generate welfare debates about enforcement and the sufficiency of existing protections.
Fox hunting before the ban caused significant welfare suffering through the pursuit of foxes to exhaustion followed by killing by hounds, a process causing acute fear and physical suffering. Illegal hunting that continues despite the ban causes the same welfare harm. Trail hunting, if conducted genuinely without wild mammal pursuit, avoids the direct welfare harm. The welfare concern is that trail hunting may provide cover for illegal fox hunting, making enforcement difficult. Where illegal hunting occurs, the welfare harm to pursued foxes is real and significant.