Woman facing trial accused of fox hunting in Scotland

A woman is facing trial accused of fox hunting in Scotland.

Claire Bellamy denies using dogs to hunt the wild animals in January last year.

She is being prosecuted at Paisley Sheriff Court and a trial has been set for later this year.

Prosecutors claim she committed the alleged offence at Kirkton Wood, at Corsliehill Road, in the Renfrewshire village of Houston.

Court papers allege the 50-year-old used dogs to hunt the foxes on January 4, 2025.

She faces a single charge underSection 1(1) of the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023.

The charge states that she "did deliberately hunt a wild mammal, namely fox using dogs".

Bellamy, of the village of Longformacus, in Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders, pleaded not guilty when the case against her called in court this week.

A trial was set for later this year.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states: "The type of fox found in Scotland is the European fox which is famed for its distinctive red fur, white chest, pointy ears and bushy tail.

"Although foxes can live up to around nine years in the wild, the majority will only survive a few years, mostly due to road traffic accidents. 

"Foxes are typically active from dusk into the night when there are fewer people around, but can sometimes be spotted in the day during the mating season.

"We strongly oppose the killing of any animal for

‘sport’. 

"It is against the law to hunt a wild mammal using a dog except in limited circumstances, such as preventing the spread of disease or protecting livestock. 

"In these limited circumstances packs are limited to two dogs and the animal must be humanely dispatched immediately by a licensed marksman to prevent suffering.

"Unfortunately, illegal hunts and animal fighting still take place in Scotland. It is a barbaric practice which has no place in a civilised society.

"If you know of anyone involved in animal fighting, or suspect it is happening in your area, you can report it to Police Scotland’s wildlife crime unit by calling 101."