The (In)Glorious Twelfth

You may be aware that 12 August is the so-called ‘Glorious Twelfth’, the starting gun for the grouse shooting season in Scotland.

As a charity which exists to end the exploitation of animals Animal Concern has long opposed deliberately breeding a high population of grouse solely for the purposes of blood sport. We should be long past the point where killing for enjoyment forms a part of our national profile, alas we are not.

Although in recess, in Holyrood right now the Wildlife Management & Muirburn (Scotland) Bill includes some welcome provisions such as the prohibition of the use of glue traps which are used to kill any animals which might have the temerity to endanger the more commercially valuable grouse population. Whilst the Bill seeks to license grouse shooting, which we do support, we take the view it is a missed opportunity to do the right thing and comprehensively end this archaic sport.

If cats, dogs, or gerbils were treated like this there might well be riots. Grouse and the animals killed to preserve them are no less deserving of their lives. When the Scottish Parliament returns in September, we hope that as restrictive a Bill prevails as possible and that your readers share that aspiration.

There is nothing glorious about the carnage unfolding today and for the rest of the season. We can and we must be better.