Campaigners took to the street in a bid to call on the government to implement stronger fox hunting laws.

The League Against Cruel Sports, an animal welfare charity, was outside the Jubilee Clock Tower in Brighton on Tuesday asking the public to back their calls.

The call to action took place amidst cub hunting season, an illegal practice that the League believes is still practiced, in preparation for the 'trail' fox hunting season beginning in November.

According to the Hunting Act 2004, hunting a wild mammal with a dog is considered an offence. If a person is found guilty of the offence they will be liable to pay a fine. 

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The Labour Party backed plans to ban the practice of 'trail' fox hunting in its general election manifesto. The aim of trail hunting is to simulate traditional hunting as practised before the Hunting Act came into force. Animal rights protesters argue that despite only trail hunting being legal, foxes and cubs are still being hunted.

The campaign is backed by the Time for Change Coalition Against Hunting (Image: Doug Peters)

The charity is now calling for the new government to honour their plans and publish a timeline for the implementation of new stronger fox hunting laws.

John Petrie, senior campaigns manager for the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “It’s time for change and for the brutal blood sport of fox hunting with hounds to be properly outlawed.

“We are calling on the government to act with urgency and publish a timeline outlining when so-called trail hunting is going to be banned, other loopholes in the law closed and prison sentences for those caught breaking fox hunting laws introduced.”

The campaigners met in Brighton for the ‘Time for Change Brighton: end cub hunting’ event, and spoke to the public asking them to email their MPs.

League fox Infront of the Palace Pier (Image: Doug Peters) Last year the charity urged the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to put an end to trail hunting in their parks.

Trail hunting still takes place across the county, with notable events including Boxing Day hunts in Lewes and Battle.

The SDNPA said it does not have any powers to ban trail hunting or issue or manage licensing.

League fox outside of the Pavilion (Image: Doug Peters)

John added: “We’re currently getting reports of savage cub hunting across the country and by November the fox hunting season with all its brutality, is scheduled to start up again.

“We need to ensure that that the police have stronger laws that will allow them to effectively tackle those caught chasing and killing foxes and the courts have the powers to properly punish offenders.”

The campaign is backed by the Time for Change Coalition Against Hunting representing more than 30 organisations.