Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
It is against the law to hunt a wild mammal using a dog except in limited circumstances. This became an offence under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.
This Bill replaces the 2002 Act. It will still be an offence to hunt a wild mammal using a dog except in limited circumstances. For example, hunting with dogs may be allowed to prevent the spread of disease or to protect other animals if the activity meets the requirements in the Bill about how it is done. However, it will always be illegal to chase and kill a wild mammal using a dog.
Where hunting is allowed, the Bill introduces new limits on the number of dogs that can be used. In some circumstances, people may be able to get a licence to use more dogs.
The Bill also bans trail hunting except in limited circumstances. Trail hunting is when a dog is used to find and follow an animal-based scent.
The Bill was passed on 24 January 2023 and became an Act on 07 March 2023
Contents
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill and gather views. They produce reports before MSPs debate the Bill in the Chamber. MSPs then decide on the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 25 October 2022
Committee Examination
The lead committee for this Bill is the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee
Submit your views
Views were gathered on the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
Submissions were either:
- Completing a short survey on the Bill; or
- Sharing detailed views on specific provisions of the Bill.
The call for views closed on 13 May 2022.
View responses to the Call for Views
Read a summary of responses to the short survey (5MB, pdf) posted 10 August 2022
Timetable
The timetable that the committee followed while examining the Bill at Stage 1
The Parliament agreed that consideration of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 would be completed by 30 September 2022.
The lead committee published its Stage 1 Report on 27 September 2022.
On 28 September, the Parliament agreed that consideration of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 would be extended to 28 October 2022.
The Stage 1 Debate took place on 25 October 2022.
Who spoke to the lead committee in the Parliament
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 30 March 2022 (private)
Minutes of 1 June 2022
Minutes of 8 June 2022
Minutes of 15 June 2022
Minutes of 22 June 2022
Minutes of 29 June 2022
Minutes of 7 September 2022 (private)
Minutes of 21 September 2022 (private)
Meeting on 1 June 2022
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill update on licensing scheme
Letter from the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Mairi McAllan, to the Convener, 6 December 2022
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill - Scottish Government response to Stage 1 report
Letter from the Minister for Environment and Land Reform to the Convener, 21 October 2022
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill - Stage 1 report
Letter from OneKind to the Convener, 5 October 2022
Work by other committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Report published on 16 March 2022
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Committee report
The lead committee published its Stage 1 Report on 27 September 2022.
Stage 1 Report on the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
The Committee received the following responses to its report –
Letter from the Minister for Environment and Land Reform (615KB, pdf) posted 21 October 2022
Debate
MSPs debate the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
Meeting on 25 October 2022
Read the Minutes of Proceedings (145KB, pdf) posted 25 October 2022
Vote
MSPs vote on the general principles of the Bill.
Meeting on 25 October 2022
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Màiri McAllan, Clydesdale, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 24 October 2022
- Motion reference: S6M-06428
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 25 October 2022
Result 110 for, 1 against, 0 abstained, 18 did not vote Vote Passed