A NEW set of figures compiled by the League Against Cruel Sports shows that fox hunting is still rife in Wales despite the ban.

The figures show that hunts in Wales were seen chasing 14 foxes during the most recent fox hunting season which finished at the end of March, and the cub hunting season which preceded it.

Hunts in Wales were also found to be some of the worst in the country for “wreaking havoc on rural communities” with 64 anti-social behaviour incidents during the same period.

The UK Government is currently holding a 12-week consultation to ban trail hunting.

The animal welfare charity says hunts across Wales included reports of trespass; other wildlife such as deer being chased; livestock worrying; and hounds running amok on roads – all activities inconsistent with the idea of following a trail, which is what hunts claim to be doing.

Just 23 (3.7 per cent) of the 624 hunt meets monitored contained evidence of a trail being laid. Within those 23 reports with a trail laid, there was still evidence of 22 foxes being chased.

The League believes the figures are just the tip of the iceberg, showing only those hunts being monitored, with hunt behaviour in many remote rural areas going unreported.

Emma Slawinski, League Against Cruel Sports chief executive, said: “These startling figures show that the brutal blood sport of fox hunting is still rife in Wales, despite the ban, and points to the desperate need for new, stronger fox hunting laws.

“The Welsh public have the chance to have their say and to help end fox hunting once and for all by taking part in the government’s consultation to end trail hunting.”

To take part in the consultation, visit https://consult.defra.gov.uk/defra/trail-hunting-consultation .