In that time, dozens of prosecutions have been brought under the Act, showing that this ban is making a real difference.

And people want it too.  According to the results of an Ipsos Mori poll last month, three quarters of people do not want hunting with dogs to be made legal again. And there is no evidence that the doom-laden predictions for rural communities that hunt campaigners made have materialised.

But the Hunting Act remains under threat because the Conservative Party have made it clear they want to get rid of it as soon as possible.

Ian Austin MP said

“Five years ago this week, the ban on hunting with hounds became law. I was proud to vote for it when it went through the House of Commons. And I am proud that the Government helped to ban hunting with dogs, testing cosmetics on animals and driftnet fishing.

“Not only is the ban making a difference, but it also supported by the overwhelming majority of the British public.

 “David Cameron spoke up for fox-hunting in his maiden speech, and I find it unbelievable that the Conservatives have pledged to make getting rid of the fox-hunting ban a priority if they were to win the next election. With all the challenges the world is currently facing, this just doesn’t make sense. I am therefore urging the people of Dudley to sign the petition to help protect the ban www.backtheban.com”

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said

“If you think the Tories have changed, this makes it absolutely clear that their priorities haven’t.  They know the public doesn’t agree with them on this, but they are determined to go ahead if they are given the chance. That’s why we need to continue to campaign to stop this barbaric ‘sport’ from returning to our land.