Part 2 Trail hunting

Exception to the offences

16 Exception: training dogs to follow an animal-based scent
(1) This section applies if—
(a) a person—
(i) directs a dog to find and follow an animal-based scent which has been laid for that purpose, or
(ii) lays an animal-based scent for a dog to find and follow,
in order to train a dog for a lawful purpose, and
(b) all of the conditions set out in subsection (2) are met.
(2) The conditions are that—
(a) the activity mentioned in subsection (1)(a) does not involve more than two dogs,
(b) any dog involved in the activity is under control,
(c) reasonable steps are taken to ensure that any dog involved in the activity does not join with others to form a pack of more than two dogs,
(d) permission for the activity has been given by the owner of the land on which the activity takes place,
(e) reasonable steps are taken to ensure that no wild mammal is pursued, injured or killed.

S. 16 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 31(2)
S. 16 in force at 3.10.2023 by S.S.I. 2023/262, reg. 2