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Hunting Act 2004 Prosecution Guidance

Plain-English digest of CPS prosecution guidance.

All CPS guidance

AI-generated summary — not verbatim. This is a plain-English digest, not the official CPS text. It may omit detail or fall out of date. Do not rely on it for a charging decision — read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk and check the current legislation.

This guidance document outlines the legal framework governing the prosecution of offences under the Hunting Act 2004. It details essential definitions, evidential issues, and recommended procedures for prosecuting cases involving the hunting of wild mammals with dogs. The document also addresses public interest considerations and provides insights into different offences and possible defences.

Key points

  • Prosecutors must follow the Full Code Test for prosecutions under the Act.
  • Wildlife Crime Coordinators should review Hunting Act cases for their complexity.
  • All offences under the Act are summary-only with a maximum penalty of a level 5 fine.
  • Early liaison with police is crucial to address evidential issues.
  • Accidental hunting is not a valid defence; intent must be proven.

Public-interest factors

  • Public interest considerations must be evaluated in all cases.
  • Prosecutions should typically proceed unless compelling factors suggest otherwise.
  • In youth cases, diversion should be considered before deciding to prosecute.
Hunting a wild mammal with a dog (section 1)Permitting land for hunting (section 3(1))Permitting dog use for hunting (section 3(2))Participating in hare coursing (section 5(1))Involvement with a hare coursing event (section 5(2))
Read the full guidance on cps.gov.uk
Reviewed by the BlueLineHub Editorial Team
Last reviewed: 20 August 2019 · Next review due: 20 February 2020

This is a factual digest of guidance published by the Crown Prosecution Service. Digested 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the CPS.