Toby Wood- The Future Isn’t Pinks

This illustration is in response to the consultation about trail hunting held by DEFRA UK this year. Although hunting wild mammals with dogs was banned in England and Wales under the Hunting Act 2004, foxes, deer, hares and other wildlife continue to be pursued during “artificial” hunts.

Trail hunting, which is led by red-coated gentlemen called “pinks”, was introduced as a legal alternative, with hounds trained to follow an artificial scent trail rather than a live animal. However, monitoring groups like Protect The Wild have recorded hundreds of fox chases during recent hunting seasons, alongside incidents involving deer, hares, and other wildlife.

The impact is not limited to wildlife. Hunting activities can put horses and hounds at risk through falls, road traffic collisions, and injuries sustained across difficult terrain. There are also many reports of hound mistreatment. Often the men involved in the hunt, “pinks”, and the men employed to look after the hounds, “game keepers”, have been seen shooting hounds instead of treating them or rehoming them, being quoted as saying, “they can’t be rehomed because of their instincts.”

50% of the proceeds of this piece will be donated to Protect The Wild to support their conservation efforts. To learn more about their work please visit https://protectthewild.org.uk/

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