Charity calls for an end to driven grouse shooting in Ross-shire on the 'Glorious Twelfth'
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Leading Scottish animal welfare campaigns charity OneKind wants to see an end to driven grouse shooting.
Today marks the Glorious Twelfth, the first day of the grouse shooting season and the biggest day in the shooting calendar.
Between 15-19 per cent of Scotland’s land is managed for driven grouse shooting.
OneKind director, Bob Elliot, said: “Today marks the 'Inglorious' Twelfth- a day where the routine killing of thousands of animals begins.
“Across Scotland’s grouse moors, red grouse will be shot for ‘fun’ and predators to red grouse, such as foxes and stoats, will be trapped, shot and snared.
"While not the target animals, domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, are also sometimes injured or killed by these indiscriminate and antiquated traps.
"There is little regulation so gamekeepers can kill many animals without justification or scrutiny.
“Thankfully, this year marks the first year where an estimated 26,000 mountain hares will no longer be killed across Scotland’s grouse moors.
"While there are shortcomings to the mountain hare licensing scheme, such as the failure to introduce a requirement that those who kill mountain hares under license are competent shooters, the scheme is a huge step in the right direction.”
On the licensing of grouse moors, Mr Elliot stated: “We do not yet know what the grouse moor licensing scheme will encompass, but we are concerned that animal welfare will not be at the heart of the scheme.
"While we do welcome the licensing of grouse moors as a step towards ending the circle of destruction on Scotland’s grouse moors,
OneKind maintains that only a complete ban can end the widespread suffering of the thousands of animals.
Mr Elliot added: "It is time that the Scottish Government ban this cruel ‘sport’, which is enjoyed by only a small minority in Scotland.”
READ: https://www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk/news/patients-waiting-for-surgery-will-be-devastated-as-nhs-highl-247483/
