The hunt is on for those who break the law

To the sound of horns on a crisp, clear morning, thousands of riders across the country set out yesterday to celebrate the start of the fox-hunting season.

Although it is now illegal to hunt with dogs in England and Wales, hunters and animal-rights activists look set to spend the next few months stalking each other, amid accusations and denials that foxes are still being illegally killed.

Hunt supporters claim their hounds are following artificial scents, while the anti-hunt lobby is calling for more to be done to enforce the hunting ban. Last night, it was not yet known how many, if any, foxes had been killed.