Hunting supporters say ban leaves dog owners at risk of prosecution

Here is the latest breaking news from around the world: Hunting supporters say ban leaves dog owners at risk of prosecution11 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleEnda McClaffertyNorthern Ireland political editorBBCThe bill has been dismissed as "misguided and divisive" by the campaign group Countryside Alliance IrelandPro hunting supporters have warned that a new Stormont bill to ban the blood sport will leave thousands of dog owners across Northern Ireland at risk of prosecution. It comes as MLAs will on Tuesday vote on the legislation which aims to ban hunting wild animals with dogs in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where the practice is still permitted.

The private members bill is being brought by the Alliance Party's John Blair but has been dismissed as "misguided and divisive" by the campaign group Countryside Alliance Ireland. It held a protest outside Stormont on Tuesday morning and its spokesperson Gary McCartney warned the bill is so "wide-ranging that it will impact on every dog owner in Northern Ireland". "If an elderly person was walking in the park and their dog scampered off and chased a wild mammal - whether that be a shrew or a deer - that could be classed as the act of hunting and the dog owner could be open to prosecution," he said.

The Details

"With 400,000 households having a dog, you can see how many people could be affected by this legislation. "Bid to ban fox hunting begins again at StormontGovernment 'committed' to banning trail huntingCalls for Sinn Féin to clarify hunting stanceBut John Blair insisted his bill would not impact on all dog owners. He said similar legislation has been in force for more than 20 years in Scotland and there hasn't been "one prosecution or attempted prosecution against a dog owner".

He said his bill will bring Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK. Emma Hodge says fox hunting is the "most natural form of pest control"Emma Hodge from the East Antrim hounds said she is very concerned at the proposed legislation and the impact it will have on her pack and her livelihood. "What is going to happen to our hounds if they ban hunting?

Hounds are not an animal which can be rehomed, they are a pack animal, and they need to be in a pack," she said. She also defended fox hunting which she said was the "most natural form of pest control". "Everybody thinks we are bloodthirsty and we are going out and killing hundreds of foxes, that is not the case," she added.

What Experts Say

"Fox hunting has been going on for generations and has been used for pest control for all these years. "Sean McAloon says it "feels we are fighting a class war"Sean McAloon, huntsman with the Fermanagh Harriers, said he has been hunting from the age of two and is opposed to any ban. "There are a lot of more important issues MLAs should be sorting out, and hunting should not be a priority for them," he said.

He also defended fox hunting which he said was the most "humane form pest control".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.