Co-ordinated crackdown on hare coursing needed – NFU
© Tim Scrivener Rural communities are facing an escalating crisis of intimidation, property damage, and extreme animal cruelty driven by illegal hare coursing, prompting urgent calls from the NFU for a unified criminal justice response.
The demands follow shocking revelations from a recent BBC investigation, which exposed an east Kent farm left with 22 dead hares laid out in rows – a macabre display believed to act as a trophy and evidence for lucrative online betting syndicates.
See also: Westward spread of hare coursing alarms CLA
Describing the grim discovery, an anonymous Kent farmer known as Sarah said: “It’s horrible. It’s just pure animal cruelty.
“The idea that animals are pursued for fun or for financial gain is disgusting.”
While illegal in the UK since 2005, the bloodsport has mutated into a lucrative underground enterprise driven by organised crime, high-stakes gambling, and social media co-ordination.
Police data reveals nearly 9,000 reports of hare coursing nationwide over the past three years.
For farmers, the impact extends far beyond wildlife.
Many live in constant dread on their family properties, facing trespassers who wreck crops, cut fences, and threaten violence.
Shooting threat
One anonymous NFU representative in Kent revealed he was threatened with being shot after confronting coursers on his land.
“Too often, farmers are left looking over their shoulders, anticipating and dreading the next incident,” warned NFU vice-president Robyn Munt.
She highlighted that offenders are expanding beyond traditional hotspots into the West Midlands and South Wales.
With successful lurchers and greyhounds trading for up to £25,000, experts stress that financial greed fuels the epidemic.
To protect rural livelihoods, the NFU insists that police and courts must fully utilise their powers to deliver meaningful consequences.
Multiple arrests made over suspected poaching incident
Three men and a teenager have been arrested following a suspected illegal hare coursing operation near Odiham.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary officers responded late on Friday 4 September, to reports of a Honda CR-V driving erratically across a field near Hayley Lane, Long Sutton, with occupants shining bright lamps.
Upon intercepting the vehicle, police seized the car and recovered three lurcher-type dogs alongside poaching equipment. The animals were immediately placed into safe kennels.
Four individuals were taken into custody, including a 46-year-old man from Shepperton, Surrey, a 31-year-old man from Maidstone, Kent, a 22-year-old man from Tonbridge, Kent and a 15-year-old boy from Maidstone.
All three adult men face charges including participating in a hare coursing event, trespassing at night with poaching equipment, and driving over the alcohol limit.
The teenager was arrested for participation and trespassing.
All suspects have been released on conditional bail while investigations continue.