Coronavirus restrictions have done 'nothing' to stop Scots fox hunts with hunters and hounds going out to kill foxes 'come hell or high water', it's been claimed.
Scottish Green environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP has raised the issue after The League Against Cruel Sports reported that Scottish hunts appear to be going out as usual three times a week, with large gatherings of people reported.
He claimed that hunts appear to be exploiting two exceptions which allow six people to gather for ‘pest control’ and 30 to gather for ‘equestrian events’.
This is happening while residents are confined to a two household and six-person limit.
At the Scottish Parliament’s COVID committee, he said: “There are no super exemptions” and asked for more details.
Speaking afterwards, he added: “Most people think fox hunting is banned in Scotland, yet here we have them apparently continuing as normal, even when most people are complying with strict public health measures which restrict our activities.
“As usual, the assumption is that it is one rule for them and another for the rest of us. A group of people can’t gather to kick a football around the park, yet they can go out in large numbers and kill wildlife for sport? That is ridiculous."
We reported last month of sick footage from a Scots hunt where a hound was caught in a fence letting out horrific screams before being rescued.
Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, said hunts were 'oblivious' to restrictions.
He said: "There are ten hunts in Scotland and they are out three or four times a week.
"We have been monitoring them and they look little different during the pandemic than they have for the past ten years.
"It seems to have done nothing to stop them.
"The hunts say it is about shooting foxes- so why would you want spectators and men on horses near guns?
"What they want to do is go out with hounds and kills foxes- they live and breathe for it and will do that come hell or high water no matter the law.
"Hunts appear to be absolutely oblivious to the fact we are living with a pandemic and it is business as usual for them.
"While everyone else makes sacrifices to live within Covid restrictions, hunts are continuing to meet two and three times every week just as they would pre-Covid.
"This is a real kick in the teeth for the rest of society and simply so a small minority can kill foxes for pleasure."
Scots hunts have repeatedly said they stay within the law with their activities.
