You may have seen recently that police forces all over the country have been posting on their social media accounts about how their rural crime teams are tackling hare coursing.
Warwickshire Rural Crime team are promoting “OP GALILEO” and in a recent post described how coursing is an “unlawful and unethical ‘sport’ causing distress to farmers, damages land and crops, and often leaves local people feeling intimidated and unsafe.”
Bedfordshire Rural Crime Team Action are providing hare coursing updates; boasting of seizing dogs and vehicles, detaining offenders and keeping rural communities safe. While Dorset Police Rural Crime Team posted that some of their officers had teamed up with Hampshire Constabulary and Wiltshire Police to respond to a planned hare coursing event, with an accompanying picture of a police drone that was used.
What all of these police forces have failed to mention is that any one of their posts/statements could easily be applied to not only hare hunting but fox, mink and stag hunting.
So, what’s the difference between coursing and hunting, and why is one more prosecuted than the other?
Coursing usually involves two dogs pursuing a hare over open land, and common breeds used are greyhounds and whippets. The dogs are judged on their ability to chase the hare by sight and it is usually used as a gambling opportunity.
Hare hunting involves using a pack of scent hounds such as Beagles or Bassetts, who will chase a hare again, across open land. Foot followers and hunt staff will watch on hoping for the hare to become exhausted enough for the hounds to catch and kill it.
Whether it’s hare hunting or hare coursing the aim and outcome is the same. Both involve people taking dogs out into the countryside with the aim of chasing and killing hares and both cause distress to local communities. There is no smokescreen for hare hunting, which is why these hunts pack up as soon as they realise sabs are in the vicinity.
It goes without saying that we are always pleased when hare coursers are caught and face justice, but both of these blood sports are illegal under the Hunting Act 2004, so why are the Police so enthusiastic about catching and prosecuting one but not the other?
Luckily sabs all over the country are ready and willing to take action so if you have any information regarding a hare hunt, please let Hunt Sabs know immediately by calling/leaving a message on 07443 148426, being sure to include details of what you have seen and a location.
Hunting hares with dogs is illegal, so if you believe there to be a crime in progress, call the Police straight away.
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