Stark warning as hare coursing season gets under way

Farmers and landowners are being urged to be extra vigilant in looking out for hare coursers and poachers and to report any suspicious activity.

Reports of hare coursing incidents increase around September as the “season” gets under way after fields have been harvested, leaving vast expanses of land bare.

Hare coursing is an illegal blood sport that involves lurcher-type dogs competing against each other in pursuit of hares, with large sums of money wagered on the outcome.

See also: Two fined £13k for Lincolnshire hare coursing under new law

Events are also being livestreamed with mobile phones over the internet to locations around the world, where bets worth thousands of pounds are placed on the outcome.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) says hare coursing incidents peak at this time of year and have a huge impact on farmers, crops, wildlife and rural communities.

CLA president Mark Tufnell said: “Hare coursing continues to be a blight on rural communities across England and Wales, particularly at this time of year, and we would urge farmers and landowners to remain extra vigilant.

“All incidents should be reported, with registration plates and as much information as possible, but from a safe place.”

Mr Tufnell welcomed a more joined-up approach between police forces and farmers and the first convictions under new legislation for offenders going equipped for hare coursing.

But he warned shocking incidents of hare coursing were still taking place. Only last week, a farmworker, a man in his 40s, was injured when trying to photograph a car being driven by suspected hare coursers near Marlborough, Wiltshire.

It advises farmers not to confront suspected hare coursers, but instead record information and call the police on 999 if an incident is taking place.

Following incidents, the advice is to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 1111.

Rural police officers from seven forces in the eastern region have joined forces to work across policing borders as part of Operation Galileo, a national operation tackling hare coursing and poaching.

Officers are sharing information and intelligence on hare coursing activity and also work closely with the farming community.

Police forces have been stepping up their efforts to tackle hare coursing by conducting increased patrols in the countryside. 

The #RuralTaskForce have been conducting preventative patrols in Rural North Lincolnshire for #OpGalileo. As well as protecting farming interests and the local wildlife, 16 vehicles were stop checked and 1 stolen motor vehicle has been recovered. #InYourCommunity pic.twitter.com/SZmlryeV0k

— Humberside Police – Rural Task Force (@Humberbeat_RTF) September 10, 2023

Tougher penalties

New legislation to crack down on illegal hare coursing is now in force after tougher sentencing and improved powers were introduced under the Police Crime Sentencing & Courts Act 2022.

Anyone caught hare coursing, or being equipped for it, now faces an unlimited fine and the prospect of six months in prison.

The courts can also order convicted offenders to reimburse the costs of kennelling dogs incurred by police forces in connection with hare coursing-related offences.

New powers also allows courts to make an order, on conviction, disqualifying an offender from owning or keeping a dog.