Police forces in Lincolnshire are targeting hare coursing. The police team involved has said that its policy of seizing dogs is helping to reduce offences.
What is Hare Coursing?
Hare coursing is a competitive activity. A hare is pursued by greyhounds, lurchers or salukis by sight and not scent. The purpose is to test the dogs’ abilities to run, overtake and catch a hare. Once the hare is caught, they are usually mauled by the dog.
Hare coursing is frowned upon due to the clear animal cruelty involved for both hares and dogs. The hares are often killed or left for dead. The dogs involved are often injured and/or abandoned.
Farmers are Also at Risk
In addition to this, coursers were said have become increasingly violent towards farmers at the beginning of 2017. Farmers have increasingly reported hare coursing on their land. As a result, coursers are turning to violence as a means of intimidation.
Coursers don’t view this as a form of hunting because the aim is the pursuit rather than the capture of game. The practice is illegal and those taking part will be prosecuted if caught.
New Policy from Lincolnshire Police
Lincolnshire Police seizes dogs if coursers are caught in the county. They have also implemented a policy whereby dogs are temporarily seized if there’s not enough evidence to support a prosecution. Any seized dogs are cared for in kennels and could be put up for adoption if ordered by the courts.
During a peak season, hare coursing can be a daily occurrence. This usually occurs in the Autumn after crops of have been harvested and continues until the Spring. During December 2017, 324 incidents of hare coursing were reported. This is a slight reduction compared to the 413 incidents in 2016, but it is still alarming. Since the beginning of the season in September 2017, 49 dogs have been seized by Lincolnshire Police. As a result, coursers have been deterred from Lincolnshire.