The hunts are still at it

Since the Hunting Act was passed in 2004, more than 341 people have been convicted of illegal hunting, while many more have been deterred from chasing and killing foxes, hares, deer and mink with dogs for pleasure. Yet, this is only a small proportion of the illegal hunting still going on.

If MPs vote in favour of amending the Hunting Act on Wednesday 15th July, 2015 hunting as we knew it will become legal again. Act now.

What you have already supported

Four years after the Hunting Act came into effect, many police forces had few ideas and even fewer resources to make sure that the act was enforced. So, with a flagrant disregard for the law, the hunters continued.

Lush joined forces with the (Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) to raise awareness that the hunts were indeed still at it and to urge the police to make enforcing the hunting act a priority; if a law is not enforced, there is very little point in it existing.

The HSA were left to police the hunts by themselves by filming law-breaking and taking video evidence to the police. Whilst doing so they put themselves at considerable risk; conflict at hunt sites often meant footage being destroyed and equipment being broken or lost entirely.

In support of HSA, Lush staff dressed as foxes with tails and ears and shop windows proclaimed ‘The Hunts Are Still At It’. Inside, a citronella and peppermint scented bubble bar called ‘Fabulous Mrs Fox’ was sold to raise funds for the group and all of the proceeds - minus the vat from the sale of the bar - went to the HSA. The bubble bar was on sale in store until boxing day to coincide with the traditional large-scale hunting meets. Customers signed postcards to be sent to their local Police forces Chief Constables, asking them to make enforcing the law a priority. 

It was an extremely controversial campaign and people who were pro-hunting entered Lush stores and ruined displays of leaflets and Fabulous Mrs Fox bubble bars. Shop windows were also targets for acts of vandalism and some store staff were even intimidated by pro-hunt supporters.

Undaunted the campaign ran its course and the sales of Fabulous Mrs Fox raised over £50,000 for the HSA.

Now, in 2015. It's time to take a stand again. It's up to the public to let MPs know that the general population does not stand for animal cruelty and will not see the barbarity of the past become legal once more.

If you believe that bloodsports are an atrocity, tell your MP why they need to protect The Hunting Act on Wednesday 15th July:

Spread the word and tell the world why the British public want to #KeepTheBan.