SCOTLAND'S restrictions on foxhunting are to come back under political scrutiny, with a new consultation into the treatment of wild animals, following on from the Bonomy review of The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

This 2002 act outlawed the pursuit and despatch of mammals by dogs – but foxhunting practices have largely been able to continue with dogs still used to search for and flush out wild mammals for despatch by shooting. But since the Act came in to force, there have been frequent issues raised by members of the public concerned that the continued use of dogs in hunting exceeded the intentions of the legislation, prompting the 2015 review by Lord Bonomy, who released his findings in a report last year.

His report, with a deliberate focus on the controversial subject of mounted fox hunting, suggested several potential improvements to the conduct of operations under the Act and to the interpretation and enforcement of the Act itself – and it is those recommendations that the Scottish government is now consulting upon, in the hope of gauging public feeling towards renewing current legislation.

Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “This consultation seeks to explore recommendations to improve animal welfare legislation and the contributions we receive will be of considerable value in informing our thinking.

“Scotland led the way in 2002 by banning the hunting of wild mammals with dogs and we remain committed to improving animal welfare across the board.”

Consultation responses will be gathered up until January 2018.