Massive Poll Boost For Anti-Hunt Bill
The Scottish People Say: Ban Hunting Now
The campaign to outlaw hunting with dogs in Scotland has today received a massive boost with the publication of a brand new MORI poll showing that 74% of the Scottish people are personally opposed to hunting with dogs, with a paltry 9% in favour of the practice.
The poll also shows that a decisive 70% of the Scottish public want to see Mike Watson MSP's Protection of Wild Mammals Bill passed into law, with a mere 15% opposed to the legislation.
The message from the Scottish people to their Parliament is therefore clear: Ban hunting now!
Commenting on the poll findings today Mike Watson MSP said:
'What this poll shows is that despite seven months of a spurious legal case and concerted attacks on me personally as well as my Bill, the efforts of the pro-hunting lobby have been in vain.
'Scottish public opinion on hunting has hardly moved a jot since the last poll on this issue in June of 1999.
'The vast majority of the Scottish people are as resolute as ever that they want to see the cruelty of hunting consigned to the dustbin of history.
'They also see the Protection of Wild Mammals Bill as the vehicle which can achieve that end and they want to see it passed into law.
'The message to me and my colleagues in the Scottish Parliament is clear: Let's get on with the job in hand, let's get the Protection of Wild Mammals Bill through, and let's ensure that this year is the last where we have to witness the bloodthirsty barbarity of hunting wild mammals with dogs in our country.'
The questions MORI Scotland asked were:
Q "Are you personally in favour or opposed to hunting wild mammals with dogs?"
| In favour |  9% |
| Opposed | 74% |
| Don't know / no opinion | 17% |
Q "A Bill which would ban foxhunting, hare coursing, and underground terrier work in Scotland is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament. To what extent would you support or oppose this Bill? (N.B. Supporting the Bill means supporting the ban)"
| Support |  70% |
| Oppose | 15% |
| Don't know / no opinion | 15% |
Technical details
MORI Scotland interviewed 991 people aged 18+ face-to-face in their homes between 23-28 March 2000. Results have been weighted to reflect the population of Scotland.
