The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is stepping up
its campaign to combat hare coursing by updating an action
plan that outlines how farmers, landowners, the police and
Government can work collaboratively to bring those involved to
justice.
It comes following increased reports of hare coursing - where
dogs compete against each other in pursuit of a hare - which
continues to blight the lives of farmers and landowners in the
countryside.
This type of rural crime, which attracts illegal betting, was
outlawed by the 2004 Hunting Act and takes place illegally
without the permission of the landowner, causing thousands of
pounds worth of damage to land and crops.
The CLA, which represents 30,000 rural businesses across England
and Wales, is calling for tailored sentencing guidelines such as
vehicle seizure and compensation paid to the landowner for any
damage caused.
President of the CLA Mark Bridgeman said:
“Following harvest, we always see a spike in hare coursing and
sadly the problem is once again prevalent in the countryside.
“Those involved in this crime are hardened criminals who will not
think twice about threatening and intimidating anyone who
attempts to stop them from pursuing this illegal activity.”
“We hope, through our updated action plan, that our advice to
farmers and landowners will be crucial in helping to prevent this
type of crime taking place in the future.”
A CLA member said: “The moment the combine finishes harvesting
the first field in mid-July we are under siege. Despite erecting
barriers, digging miles of trenches and locking countless gates,
still the illegal hare coursers come, often several times a week.
“The police do what their best but the coursers have no respect
for officers or anyone else who gets in their way. Until the law
changes, they will continue to cause extensive damage on farms,
persecute the brown hare at will and intimidate the farming
community without fear of a meaningful legal deterrent.”
Landowners and the public need to be able to recognise when they
are witnessing a hare coursing incident and they report this to
the police either by 101 or 999 (if it is a crime in progress).
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The CLA’s Action Plan is attached
