Abstract
Whereas most of the provisions protecting wild birds are located in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the legislation protecting animals is disparate. This article explores the fundamental difference between the protection offered to wild birds and to animals, in particular the red fox. It examines some of the many pieces of legislation relating to fox control and to associated welfare issues, as well as the impact these can have on other, vulnerable species. Finally, it is proposed that licensing provisions similar to those that currently apply to the control of birds, should be applied to the control of foxes. This would enable the same level of protection to be applied to wild animals as now applies to wild birds, both within the single structure of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It would also provide an alternative to an outright ban on foxhunting.
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