daft question

[shaunpauls7 131]

okie as above this has been gettin at me for a while so here it goe's

 

is digging to fox with terriers legall :S

stupid question i know but is been getting at me so thought i would ask some of you's on here

 

any info would be greatly thanked

[judge 4]

read the info above your post mate it tells you.

[shaunpauls7 131]

yeah a just did

 

 

sorry lads and lassies

[vulpicide 0]

read the info above your post mate it tells you.

The info does not apply in Scotland check Ptotection of Wild Mammals Scotland act on Scottish govt website or pm me yis

[stick 2]

isnt it allowed as long as the dogs dont kill the fox?

[phantomflanflinger 24]

read the info above your post mate it tells you.

The info does not apply in Scotland check Ptotection of Wild Mammals Scotland act on Scottish govt website or pm me yis

what is the law north of the border then

[Barrie 1,325]

read the info above your post mate it tells you.

The info does not apply in Scotland check Ptotection of Wild Mammals Scotland act on Scottish govt website or pm me yis

what is the law north of the border then

 

Hopefully this link summarises the legislation and explains it in reasonable language.

 

It also includes links to the relevant Acts, but that's pretty hard going .

 

Terrierwork in England, Wales & Scotland.

Edited September 8, 2009 by Barrie

[lilpip1234 62]

its aloud but the dog cannot mix with the fox and you have to shoot it as quick as possible having broke through

[Barrie 1,325]

its aloud but the dog cannot mix with the fox and you have to shoot it as quick as possible having broke through

 

No offence Lilpip but the situation is far more complex than that and the bit about "breaking through" isn't correct. The only time you can dig down is if you consider your dog to be trapped (see below).

 

This is the summarised position for both England/Wales (the same Act) and in Scotland (a different Act).

 

ENGLAND & WALES: The Hunting Act (2004) regulates terrier work In England and Wales.

 

Summary: This Act (schedule 1 paragraph 2) permits the use of a single dog below ground to flush out wild mammals solely for the purpose of preventing or reducing serious damage to game birds or wild birds being kept or preserved to be shot. The person must carry with them written permission and intend to shoot the wild mammal as soon as possible after it is flushed.

 

All reasonable steps must be taken to prevent risk or injury to the dog and the manner in which it is used must comply with the following code issued by the Secretary of State:

 

- The terrier's role is to locate and flush the mammal, not to fight with it.

- Only 'soft' terriers which stand back and bark are to be used.

- Care must be taken to ensure the safety of those involved and to minimise the risk of injury to either the terrier or the wild mammal.

- The terrier's time below ground must be kept as short as is possible.

- The terrier must always be fitted with an electronic locator.

- Once it is determined a terrier is trapped, assistance must be given to release it immediately.

 

Under the Act nothing other than nets may be placed over entrance/exit holes during the flushing. It is not permitted to use a terrier to locate, dig down and dispatch the quarry. But if the dog is removed, relocated, secured and not used again, then the quarry may be dug down to and dispatched. The hunting of rats and rabbits is exempt from the above, but does require the landowner or occupiers permission in order to be exempt.

 

To assist its members and others, to more fully understand and comply with the Act. The N.W.T.F. and the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain jointly funded the printing of 20,000 explanatory postcards which have been distributed at Working Terrier Shows and Game Fairs across the country. The front of the postcard serves as written permission from the landowner and the reverse summarises the legal requirements under the Act. These can also be downloaded from the N.W.T.F. website.

 

SCOTLAND: The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 regulates terrier work in Scotland.

 

Summary: This Act (Sections 2 & 5) permits the use of a dog to flush both mink and foxes from below ground providing that -

 

- Reasonable steps are taken to ensure that the fox or mink is flushed as soon as reasonably possible after it is located and is shot as soon as possible after it is flushed.

- Reasonable steps are taken to prevent injury to the dog. Including steps to prevent the dog becoming trapped underground and, if it does become trapped underground, steps to ensure it is rescued as soon as is possible.

- The person is in possession of a firearm for which they hold a valid firearms or shotgun certificate;

- The person is the owner or lawful occupier of the land on which the activity takes place, or is acting on their behalf and with their permission.

 

The Act also permits (subject to the above requirements), the use of a dog below ground in order to locate a fox cub(s) which that person reasonably believes is orphaned. But only if that person takes reasonable steps to ensure that once located the cub is despatched by a single dog, or otherwise killed as humanely as possible.

 

I hope this helps clarify things.

 

Kindest Regards - Barrie

Edited September 9, 2009 by Barrie