Editing Hunting Act 2004 (section)

===Hunting rats and rabbits===
In enacting the Hunting Act, parliament accepted the view that the hunting of rats and rabbits is legitimate, as they are pests.<ref name=Hansard161202>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmhansrd/vo021216/debtext/21216-16.htm#21216-16_spnew15|title=Official Report, Commons|date=16 December 2002|access-date=19 February 2008|publisher=House of Commons}}</ref> Parliament did not believe there was any necessity to use dogs to hunt mice, so provided no such exemption.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200304/ldhansrd/vo041028/text/41028-10.htm#41028-10_spnew3|title=Official Report, Lords|date=28 October 2004|access-date=27 February 2008}}</ref>

The hunting of rats and rabbits is exempt only if it takes place on land which belongs to the hunter, or which he has been given permission to use for the purpose by the occupier or (if unoccupied) by an owner.<ref name=Schedule1/>