Five dogs seized in hare coursing crackdown

Five dogs have been seized after police responded to reports of hare coursing in south Cambridgeshire on 11 February, tracking a suspect vehicle before stopping it in Bourn.

Neighbourhood officers and the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) were alerted to hare coursing across the south of the county.

See also: Hare coursing duo hit with heavy penalties

Officers located a black Mitsubishi Shogun, believed to be involved, and followed it to the A1198.

When police attempted to stop the vehicle, it sped away. A stinger device was deployed, deflating three tyres.

The vehicle continued before coming to a stop in Fox Road, Bourn, shortly before 1.30pm.

Six men fled, and five were detained soon afterwards.

They have since been reported for a number of offences, including making off without paying, failing to stop for police, and dangerous driving.

The vehicle and five dogs found inside it were seized as they were believed to have been used in a crime.

Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from the RCAT, said: “Hare coursing is an illegal activity that causes significant suffering to wildlife and harms our rural communities. It will not be tolerated here in Cambridgeshire.

“We will continue to work closely with farmers, landowners and local residents to respond to reports and disrupt those intent on committing these offences.”

Police have urged anyone witnessing hare coursing to report it immediately by calling 999. Information about suspicious vehicles or trespassers can be reported via 101.

The action follows a case at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 22 January, where William Finney, 48, and Gavin Lee, 54, pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with a dog, contrary to the Hunting Act 2004.

Mr Finney was fined £3,885, including kennelling costs, and Mr Lee was fined £725.