The wholesale destruction of packs of hounds in the event of a hunting ban can be averted, according to a report published recently by the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare.
A new MORI poll, commissioned by the RSPCA, has also found that 88pc of the public wants to see the dogs given a second chance at life in the event of a ban, through re-training, re-homing or retaining them.
An APGAW working group found there will be no need for dogs to be killed en masse. It shows it is possible and preferable to retrain the dogs to drag hunt (where an artificial scent is followed rather than live quarry), re-home them as pets, and retain some in packs.
Having heard evidence from owners who have successfully re-homed hounds, the group concluded it is possible to re-home many of the hounds as pets - in pairs or to homes that already contain dogs and to adopters who have experience, sensitivity and skill.
In light of this research we would urge hunts to do the right thing and look to the future welfare of their dogs.
