Fox hunters begin new season despite ban on using hounds

LONDON -- Thousands of fox hunters and hounds rode out Saturday at the start of the first season since their sport was banned, some of them intending to pursue tradition but others allegedly breaking the law.

Dozens of hunters set out, hounds at their heels. Many participated in drag-hunting -- which involves laying a scent trail for the hounds to follow.

Late Saturday, an anti-hunting group, the League Against Cruel Sports, said the law banning most forms of hunting with dogs, which took effect in February, appeared to have been successful.

"We are very pleased that there seems to have been relatively little lawbreaking today," spokesman Mike Hobday said. "However, there are a number of cases where we will be presenting videotape evidence to the police.

"The real test of whether hunts are prepared to operate within the law without chasing foxes will be over the weeks to come when the public spotlight is off them."

However, the rural umbrella group the Countryside Alliance denied there had been any lawbreaking Saturday.

"We are confident that hunts have been hunting within the law today," spokeswoman Jill Grieve said. "It looks like all the hunts have been out and that they have managed to employ different methods successfully."

The Hunting Act, which outlaws traditional fox hunting and other kinds of hunting in which dogs pursue and kill the prey, was passed last year.