Thursday, January 27, 2005

Scotland's "Ban" Without Much Teeth


Charges have been dropped against a Borders huntsman accused of breaking Scotland's fox hunting legislation.

Former master of the Jedforest Hunt, Rory Innes, age 27, has been told proceedings against him have been discontinued after almost two years.

This news comes a month after Buccleuch huntsman Trevor Adams was cleared of breaching anti-hunting legislation.

Mr Innes now lives in England and is master of the South Dorset Hunt.

Mr Adams, from Melrose, was the first person to go on trial accused of breaking the Protection of Wild Mammals Act, introduced in 2002.

In what was seen as a test case, the sheriff at Jedburgh ruled that the dogs were not out of control at any time.

Scotland's legislation permits the use of dogs for pest control measures as long as they are flushing foxes from cover so they can be shot.



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