Hare Coursing Reported in Bentley Area

Reports have been received of possible hare coursing in the Bentley Area, near Atherstone.

Please be vigilant and report anyone seen undertaking this illegal activity or acting suspiciously, including vehicles.

Hare coursing tends to occur where there are large areas of open land, at this time of year on crops and grassland that are just starting to come through causing damage to farmland.

It can occur at all times of the day and night, recent reports have been in the afternoon around 4pm.

Hare coursing is a blood sport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares.

It is illegal in the UK under the Hunting Act 2004, which makes it an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogs and new legislation has recently been introduced.

Warwickshire Police is part of Operation Galileo, a national approach to hare coursing with police forces working together to tackle this illegal wildlife crime.

What to look out for

• Coursing tends to happen on large flat areas of land.
• Be aware of a vehicle or number of vehicles parked in a rural area, perhaps by a gateway to farmland, on a grass verge, on a farm track or bridle path.
• Usually estate cars, four wheel drives or vans and may have evidence of dogs.
• Binoculars are used to spot hares or at night strong lights or beams.
• Coursers will often walk along the field to frighten a hare into the open.  Hares live and breed above ground and at this time of year are extremely vulnerable as there is little or no cover for them.
• The dogs used tend to be sight hounds, such as lurchers or whippet type dogs that chase by sight rather than hunt by scent.

Report it

If you see hare coursing taking place, or suspect it is happening in your area contact the police straight away.  We advise that you do not approach the participants.

It may help us if you can answer any of the questions when reporting a wildlife crime:

• Are the suspect/s alone or in a group?
• Are they trespassing?
• Do they have equipment with them?
• Do they have dogs or firearms with them?
• Where are they going?
• Where have they been?
• What do they look like?
• Have they any vehicles?
• What are the number plates and vehicle models?
• Can you safely get a photograph?

NEVER PUT YOUR OWN SAFETY AT RISK.

You can also report it online at www.warwickshire.police.uk.

Warwickshire Police have a dedicated Rural Crime Team and Wildlife Officers who work with response and local beat officers to address wildlife crime and catch offenders in our county.

Thank you for your assistance it is greatly appreciated.