Rural campaigners have hit out after MLAs voted through a controversial Bill that could see dogwalkers criminalised.

John Blair's Hunting with Dogs Bill was today (26 May) voted through by the Assembly at its second reading, despite stark warnings from campaigners and NI's former Attorney General that the legislation would be devastating for rural communities.

John Larkin KC, former Attorney General of Northern Ireland, said that the Bill is "confused and unnecessarily complex" and warned that, if enacted, "dog ownership would be made more burdensome if not dangerous".

The proposed legislation would see dog walkers, farmers trying to carry out vital pest control, as well as those in shooting sports, all potentially criminalised.

Countryside Alliance Ireland have branded the vote as "a fundamental assault on rural communities" and "defying all common sense".

Earlier today, members of Countryside Alliance Ireland and the hunting community gathered outside Stormont with hunting hounds, ahead of the vote, to warn MLAs about the potential devastating impact the proposed legislation could have on people who live and work in the countryside.

Gary McCartney, Director of Countryside Alliance Ireland, said:

"It is frustrating that, defying all common sense, MLAs have today supported the Bill despite knowing not only the huge damage it will cause to rural communities, but also that Northern Ireland's former Attorney General has pointed out its enormous flaws.

"This unjustified Bill is a fundamental assault on rural communities, and has enormously wide implications that would affect farmers and dog owners throughout Northern Ireland.

"John Blair is opting for a culture war against rural people with a full-scale attack on not only hunting, but every aspect of rural life. With so many other issues facing this country, it defies all logic that any politician should deem this a priority for Northern Ireland.

"We will continue to press MLAs to reject this unjustified and indiscriminate legislation at the next stage. Put simply, it cannot stand up to serious scrutiny".

"The countryside will be watching closely. Rural people will not forget those using the rural way of life as a political football".