Vehicles and dogs seized in hare coursing crackdown

Police in Wiltshire have broken up a large hare coursing event on the Salisbury Plain after receiving a number of calls from farmers and landowners.

Officers swooped on the illegal event which was being held in the Salisbury and Amesbury area on Sunday morning (16 December).

Nine men were reported for alleged offences or breaches of the Hunting Act 2004. Police also seized two vehicles, 10 lurcher-type dogs and a number of mobile phones.

See also: Hare coursing: What you need to know if your farm is targeted

Officers are now carrying out enquiries about the dogs, some of whom are believed to be stolen. They are hopeful that the dogs will either be returned to their original owners or found new homes by Christmas.

One of the dogs recovered by Wiltshire Police

Inspector Pete Sparrow said: “We recognise the effect this type of crime has on our rural communities.

“We will always respond quickly and deal with any offender we identify, using all powers available to us, to seize vehicles and dogs and apply to the courts for forfeiture orders to have vehicles destroyed and dogs rehomed.”

He added: “I want to make it clear that south Wiltshire will not accept this illegal activity and we will do everything in our power to make it difficult for those who want to hold hare coursing events here.”

‘Abhorrent crime’

The CLA, which is pressing for tougher action from police and the courts to stamp out hare coursing, said introducing specific sentences would help to deter the crime and make rural communities feel safer.

CLA president Tim Breitmeyer said: “Coursers are hardened criminals who use threats, intimidation and violence against anyone who questions or challenges their actions.

“It is an abhorrent crime that causes damage to land and property, and is cruel to hares and the poor dogs abandoned after the chase.

“We would like to see specific sentences introduced as a deterrent and help for police to reclaim kennelling costs for dogs seized from offenders.”