British Pest Control Association is asking pest professionals to share their experiences of using working dogs as part of a new industry survey.
The association wants to build a clearer picture of how dogs are currently used across professional pest management and where their use may grow in the future.
The survey is open to anyone using dogs for:
- Controlling mammals, including rats, mice and rabbits;
- Surveying and detecting mammals; and
- Detecting invertebrates, including the use of bed bug detection dogs.
BPCA is also encouraging professionals who are considering introducing working dogs into their services to take part.
Protecting an important part of the toolkit
Working dogs can support an integrated pest management programme by locating pest activity, identifying harbourages and helping professionals target control measures more effectively.
However, BPCA is concerned that legislation intended to prevent trail hunting could have unintended consequences for legitimate pest management and detection work.
The association said evidence gathered through the survey will help it explain to governments and politicians how working dogs are used in practice and why suitable exemptions and protections are needed.
Rosina Robson, BPCA chief executive, said: “Working dogs are as important a part of the toolkit as any other and play crucial roles in protecting both rural and urban communities.
“As the law changes to end trail hunting, it’s vital to ensure pest professionals and their working dogs are part of the conversation so that they and their communities are not unintentionally affected.”
Legislation under scrutiny
Laws governing hunting and the use of dogs have received increased political and public attention in recent years.
The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 came into force on October 3, 2023. It prohibits trail hunting and restricts the use of dogs to hunt wild mammals, subject to statutory exceptions. The legislation also allows dogs to be trained to follow animal-based scents for lawful purposes, provided certain conditions are met.
In England and Wales, the UK Government held a consultation between March 26 and June 18 2026 on proposals to prohibit trail hunting. The consultation considered how trail hunting should be defined, the use of animal-based scents when training dogs and the possible effects of a ban on businesses and other organisations.
BPCA responded to the consultation in support of ending trail hunting while calling for legitimate detection and professional working-dog activities to remain protected.
Northern Ireland is currently the only part of the UK without a general ban on hunting wild mammals with dogs.
A Private Member’s Bill introduced in April 2026 would prohibit hunting wild mammals with dogs, trail hunting and terrier work while creating exemptions for legitimate activities.
The proposed exemptions include hunting rats and mice, protecting human health, preventing disease, managing biodiversity and training dogs to follow animal-based scents for lawful purposes. The Bill completed its Second Stage on May 26, 2026 and is awaiting Committee Stage.
BPCA plans to engage with politicians in Northern Ireland as the Bill progresses.
Share your experience
BPCA said responses will help it scrutinise proposed legal changes, identify areas where clarification may be required and demonstrate the role working dogs play in professional pest management.
Pest professionals using working dogs, or considering doing so, can complete the survey, by clicking here.
