Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

2. The Act’s Purpose

3. Detailed Provisions

   1. Part 1: Hunting a wild mammal using a dog

      1. Section 1: Offence of hunting a wild mammal using a dog

      2. Section 2: Offences of knowingly causing or permitting another person to hunt using a dog

      3. Section 3: Exception: management of wild mammals above ground

      4. Section 4: Licence for use of more than two dogs in connection with section 3

      5. Section 5: Exception: management of foxes below ground

      6. Section 6: Exception: falconry, game shooting and deer stalking

      7. Section 7: Exception: relieving the suffering of injured wild mammals

      8. Section 8: Exception: searching for dead wild mammals

      9. Section 9: Exception: environmental benefit

      10. Section 10: Licence for use of more than two dogs in connection with section 9

      11. Section 11: Delegation of functions in relation to licences

      12. Section 12: Offence of providing false information to obtain a licence

      13. Section 13: Review of operation of sections 4 and 10

   2. Part 2: Trail hunting

      1. Section 14: Offences relating to trail hunting

      2. Section 15: Power to modify meaning of trail hunting

      3. Section 16: Exception: training dogs to follow an animal-based scent

   3. Part 3: Further provision relating to offences

      1. Section 17: Search of a person without warrant

      2. Section 18: Powers of enforcement

      3. Section 19: Time limit for summary proceedings

      4. Section 20: Individual culpability where organisation commits an offence

      5. Section 21: Deprivation orders

      6. Section 22: Disqualification orders

      7. Section 23: Seizure orders where disqualification breached

      8. Section 24: Termination or variation of disqualification

      9. Section 25: Appeals against orders

   4. Part 4: General provisions

      1. Section 26: Ancillary provision

      2. Section 27: Interpretation

      3. Section 28: Repeal of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and consequential modifications

      4. Section 29: Crown application: criminal offences

      5. Section 30: Crown application: powers of entry

      6. Section 31: Commencement

      7. Section 32: Short title

   5. Schedule: Enforcement powers

4. Parliamentary History