New legislation to crack down on illegal hare coursing

In amendments tabled to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill today (4th January), the Government has set out measures to strengthen law enforcement for hare coursing by increasing penalties, introducing new criminal offences and creating new powers for the courts to disqualify convicted offenders from owning or keeping dogs. This includes an order to reimburse the costs incurred when dogs are seized in kennels.

The NFU has welcomed the plans which it says will finally give rural police forces and courts the necessary powers to tackle hare coursing and the wider problem of organised crime.

Hare coursing is an illegal activity that causes serious problems in some rural areas. Not only does it involve animal cruelty as dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares, it is also associated with a range of other criminal activities such as theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation.

 NFU deputy president Stuart Roberts said: “Our members have had to deal with the impact of illegal hare coursing for far too long and will be relieved that after much campaigning by the NFU and others over many years there is now light at the end of the tunnel.

“I hope this will signal the start of a real crackdown on these organised gangs of criminals who break into fields to let dogs loose to chase hares, causing huge damage to crops and farm property and intimidating people living in rural communities.”

The proposals include:

• Increasing the maximum penalty for trespassing in pursuit of game under the Game Acts (the Game Act 1831 and the Night Poaching Act 1828) to an unlimited fine and introducing – for the first time – the possibility of up to six months’ imprisonment.
• Two new criminal offences: firstly, trespass with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare; and secondly, being equipped to trespass with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare both punishable on conviction by an unlimited fine and/or up to six months’ imprisonment.
• New powers for the courts to order, on conviction, the reimbursement of costs incurred by the police in kennelling dogs seized in connection with a hare coursing-related offence.
• New powers for the courts to make an order, on conviction, disqualifying an offender from owning or keeping a dog.

Chief inspector Phil Vickers noted that hare coursing is a “scourge” for rural communities, with farmers and rural communities suffering damage, threats, intimidation and assaults.

“The impact of the cruelty on our wildlife and the welfare of dogs once their ‘coursing’ life is over is horrific.

“There is a high level on demand on policing, and though 30 Operation Galileo force are working together with partners to tackle the problem, the legislation has not kept pace with the impact on victims or benefits to offenders.”

These changes have been sought by the coalition of partner organisations representing rural businesses, and are fully supported by the Operation Galileo police forces.

“We are optimistic that parliament will take the opportunity to re-balance in favour of victims and enforcers, supporting us to take the fight to the offenders and protect rural communities and wildlife,” he added.

Announcing the plans, environment secretary George Eustice said: “There are persistent groups who illegally perpetuate hare coursing creating challenges for the police. These new measures will give the police the additional powers to bring prosecutions and confiscate dogs from owners involved in hare coursing.”

Home secretary Priti Patel added: “Illegal hare coursing has blighted rural communities for too long, resulting in criminal damage, threating violence and intimidation against farmers and landowners.

“Those responsible are often involved in other criminal activities – including drugs and firearms offences. I have been a longstanding supporter for essential reforms to our laws to stop hare coursing which is why we will act to prevent more people from suffering as a result of the actions of a law-breaking minority.

“We are introducing new measures in the Policing, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to empower and equip the police and courts with the powers they need to combat this crime. They will deter those breaking the law, and send a clear message that we will do all we can to keep our rural communities safe.”

To deliver these measures, the Government will be tabling amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill for debate at Lords report stage in January.