Petition · past parliament

Supersede the Hunting Act 2004 with the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023

Rejected 14 signatures

What the petition asks

Replace the Hunting Act 2004 with the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023.
Update the current legislation detailed in the hunting act 2004 to include the legislation in the Hunting with dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 in order to streamline legislation across the UK.
The Hunting Act 2004 has proved hard to police and uphold in England and Wales in accordance with the laws stated in the act. Hunting with packs of hounds across the British Isles continues as it did before the Hunting Act was legislated in 2004. Loopholes in the legislature of the hunting act 2004 are exploited by Hunts who continue hunting wild mammals with packs of dogs.
The Hunting Act 2004 is not specific enough and difficult to understand and implement by the police, leading to disrepute of the police forces across England and Wales.

Why it was rejected

It was not clear what the petition asked the UK Government or Parliament to do.

Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.

In order for us to accept your petition, it needs to be clear what specific changes you want to be made to the Hunting Act 2004.

Animal welfare is devolved, so this would only apply to England.

You could start a new petition that is more specific about the loopholes you are referring to.

Timeline

30 Mar 2023 Petition opened for signatures
4 Apr 2023 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 14
Status Rejected
Rejected 4 Apr 2023

Follow this petition

Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.

Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.