Like much of the legislation that has gone through the Scottish Parliament, the law to ban fox hunting was well-intentioned but flawed.
The 2002 legislation, which was pioneering at the time, was framed to ban hunting with dogs, not hunting foxes altogether.
An unlimited number of dogs are still allowed to chase foxes from cover so they can be shot.
That loophole allows the so-called sport of fox hunting to continue in another guise, almost unhindered by the legislation and, as our report shows, sometimes with a contempt for the wild animals and the principles that underline the law.
The horrific scenes of a dead fox being fed to the hounds, filmed by hunt saboteurs in front of an unapologetic huntsman, should be enough to convince most people of the barbarity of the practice and the limits of the current legislation.
At present in Scotland, more than two hounds may still be used for flushing foxes to guns.
This Scottish Government is consulting to change that and tighten licences with the clear aim of stamping out inhumane hunting.
Of course, farmers and land managers do need to keep fox populations in check and there should be no squeamishness about considering culls when the numbers of a species obviously begins to outstrip what can be maintained by their environment.
But culls have to be done humanely and hunting with dogs as a sport is a cruel, barbaric and needless pursuit which should be finished off.
Law and order
Scotland is home to statues of many slave traders and other unworthy figures.
So, it is high time that heroes, not villains, were put on a plinth and given the respect they deserve.
Every Scot should be delighted by Denis Law unveiling a statue of himself in Aberdeen, his home town.
Denis attended Powis Academy in the city before embarking on a stellar career which included becoming European Footballer of the Year and Scotland’s only winner of a Ballon d’Or.
Not only is he a Manchester United legend but he also scored 30 goals for his country.
As Sir Alex Ferguson, who attended the event, said: “He was a fantastic player. He was the greatest Scots player of all time, no question.”
Denis has also spoken movingly of his battle with dementia – a plight facing a huge number of ex-pros.
A Scottish hero and a great Aberdonian, Denis is exactly the sort of person we should see on a statue.
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