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 2 - Changes to detail
MSPs can propose changes (“amendments”) to the Bill. The amendments are considered and decided on by a committee.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 14 December 2022
Submit your views
The lead committee held an additional Call for Views during Stage 2.
The Call for Views closed on 9 November 2022.
Who spoke to the lead committee at Stage 2
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 16 November 2022
Minutes of 23 November 2022
Minutes of 30 November 2022
Meeting on 16 November 2022
First meeting on amendments
Documents with amendments considered at the meeting held on 7 December 2022.
First marshalled list of amendments at Stage 2 (764KB, pdf) posted 01 December 2022
First groupings of amendments at Stage 2 (revised) (999KB, pdf) posted 05 December 2022
Meeting on 7 December 2022
Second meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 14 December 2022.
Second marshalled list of amendments at Stage 2 (728KB, pdf) posted 08 December 2022
Second groupings of amendments at Stage 2 (507KB, pdf) posted 08 December 2022
Meeting on 14 December 2022
Bill as amended at Stage 2
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill as amended at stage 2 (2MB, pdf) posted 14 December 2022
Additional information from the Scottish Government on the Bill following Stage 2
Revised Explanatory Notes
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (236KB, pdf) posted 20 January 2023
Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (print version) (296KB, pdf) posted 19 January 2023
Explanation of the Bill