Despite Labour’s implementation of the Hunting Act in 2004, which banned the use of dogs to hunt foxes and other wild mammals in England and Wales, evidence shows that hunts are regularly breaking the law. This cruel ‘sport’ attracts strong views from both sides; however, polls are showing more of a gap between those for and against, than in the past. A recent survey conducted by the League Against Cruel Sports revealed 85% of the public are in favour of maintaining the current ban, rising from 70% in 2008.
This documentary includes interviews with both supporters of the hunt, and with those fighting to save the foxes who fall victim to it. Chris Luffingham from the League Against Cruel Sports uses his screen time well to deliver the harsh truths about fox hunting.
The camera crew follows a group of hunt saboteurs trying to stop foxes being killed by potentially illegal hunting, highlighting the challenges and abuse they suffer when striving to protect British wildlife. The documentary is very timely, as a guilty plea has just been entered by two members of the Belvoir Hunt for attacking former police officer and League Against Cruel Sports Monitor Darryl Cunnington, leaving him with a broken neck.
The film really aspires to show both sides of the story, which makes the documentary a compelling watch, showing the cruel reality of of fox hunting in Britain today.
Watch the film in full below, or see a shortened version on UNILAD’s Facebook page.