Legislation is to be introduced to the Scottish Parliament to prevent potential loopholes in laws on fox hunting. Minister for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon will bring forward a bill that will limit the number of dogs that can be used to flush or find a fox to just two.

Furthermore, the Government intends to explore the option to licence permits for more than two dogs, if necessary for pest control.

Additionally, the bill will include pre-emptive measures to address the likelihood of trail-hunting establishing in Scotland.

“The welfare of animals in Scotland, whether domestic, farmed, or wild, is one of this government’s highest priorities.

"So when it became apparent that legislation introduced in 2002 to protect foxes from unnecessary hunting wasn’t having the desired effect, we wanted to take firm action,” Minister Gougeon said.