A hunt in Oxfordshire has bought a European Eagle Owl amid controversy that birds of prey are being used to get around the ban on full-scale fox hunting with dogs.

A European Eagle Owl

Up to 30 hunts across the country are understood to have bought birds such as golden eagles and eagle owls in the belief that they are acting within the law.

Using dogs to hunt with a bird of prey is an exemption set out in the Hunting Act 2004. The Heythrop Hunt, based in Chipping Norton, bought a European Eagle Owl in August.

Richard Sumner, joint master of the hunt, would not say whether the hunt had bought the bird, named Fern, as a way of getting around the ban on hunting with dogs -- but added that it had been out with them on scent trails.

Mr Sumner said: "The kennelman has taken it out on some occasions. He is flying it when he's at home. We haven't used it that much."

Mr Sumner added the bird was kept at the kennels in a "joint arrangement" between the kennelman and the hunt.

He said he knew of other nearby hunts which had bought birds of prey.

When it banned hunting with hounds, the Government did not restrict the number of dogs that could be used to flush out wild animals for a bird of prey because it wanted to protect the sport of falconry.

Otherwise the law states only two dogs can be used to flush foxes to waiting guns, although a pack of dogs can lawfully follow a scent or drag trail.

Penny Little, who lives in Great Haseley and is county chairman of Protect Our Wild Animals, said: "It's absolutely risible that they are honestly expecting anyone to believe they will be conducting falconry.

"It's risible, it's laughable and it's farcical, frankly. We are surprised that they truly believe they can get away with this."

Jim Chick, chairman of the Hawk Board, which organises falconry in Britain, said it was bringing the sport into disrepute and could be dangerous for the foxes, hounds and the birds themselves.

He said: "Many of the hunts are using people to handle the birds who have just been on a short course. You are not competent to handle a large bird of prey.

"A fox is not a recognised quarry for a bird of prey. It is a large animal and cannot be easily subdued."

Tim Bonner, spokesman for the Countryside Alliance, said: "This clearly shows the chaos of the Hunting Act.

"The Act came into force less than a year ago but it has become increasingly clear that is is impossible to interpret and to enforce."

A spokesman for the Council of Hunting Associations (CHA) said: "The CHA strongly advises that this method should not be used unless hunts have discussed their plans with the Hawk Board and the Hunting Office.