FOX-hunters have claimed they face draconian new legislation despite having won the "class war" waged against them by animal activists.
The Countryside Alliance made the claim after the New Year's Day meet, adding the Scottish Government was considering further restrictions even though there have been no convictions connected to a foxhound pack.
Jamie Stewart, the organisation’s Scottish director, accused the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) of "bigotry, lies and insinuations” and of spending charitable donations making “malicious” claims to the police, the Telegraph reported.
Read more: Confused fox-hunting law should be tightened, says Lord Bonomy
It comes after Lord Bonomy's recent review of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 recommended introducing a formal code of practice and to look at making landowners criminally liable for offences committed by hunts on their land but rejected calls to place a restriction on the number of hounds used in hunts.
The Scottish system allows an unlimited number of dogs to flush out, but not kill, foxes but there have been allegations that the law has been broken because guns have not been visibly present.
Read more: Police say fox hunting ban is ‘unworkable’
In a submission to the review, Police Scotland said the lack of clarity provides "opportunities for exploitation by those who continually and deliberately offend" and makes it difficult to prosecute.
Mr Stewart, who attended the Berwickshire meet this week, said the January events are “an annual validation of the determination of the hunting community not to beaten by the animal rights activists who remain obsessed with hunts, angry that their (completely misplaced) class war has failed".
Read more: Confused fox-hunting law should be tightened, says Lord Bonomy
He added: “It’s absurd then that despite the fact that not one person connected to a registered foxhound pack has been convicted of an offence under the Act that we find ourselves under the greatest of scrutiny with threats of further draconian legislation.”
Robbie Marsland, LACS’s director, said: “The Protection of Wild Mammals Act was passed to protect wild mammals from being hunted, chased and ripped apart by packs of dogs for sport – it had nothing to do with class.
“Lord Bonomy agreed with us and Police Scotland that improvements are essential if the legislation is to stand any chance of fulfilling its purpose of protecting wild animals and limit the opportunity for mounted hunts to encourage packs of hounds to chase and kill wild mammals in Scotland.”
Read more: Police say fox hunting ban is ‘unworkable’
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham is due to respond to the Bonomy review early this year.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "In 2002, Scotland led the way in addressing animal welfare issues.
"In recognition of concerns about whether the legislation on fox-hunting is working effectively, we asked Lord Bonomy to carry out a review.
"We will now consider carefully the findings of that review, with the intention of responding early in 2017.
"We remain committed to ensuring the highest welfare standards for all animals, including those in the wild."
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