The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wildlife charity blasts rise in hare coursing after animal is killed
CRUELTY: Police appeal for information after latest incident near Coupar Angus
A wildlife charity has condemned the rise in hare coursing incidents across Perthshire after an animal was killed by two dogs and thrown from a car on Sunday.
Two men were seen taking part in the illegal bloodsport in a field at Campmuir Estate, near Coupar Angus, where lurcher-type dogs were used to chase down the petrified animal.
The suspects drove into the field in a blue Subaru Forester at around 7.30pm and the driver released the two dogs which killed the hare.
The dead animal was then retrieved by the driver who threw the corpse into the corner of the field as the car drove away in the direction of Kettins.
Sunday was the latest in a string of incidents across Perth and Kinross with police reporting an “upsurge” in hare coursing across the local authority.
The Courier understands there were also three reports of suspected hare
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A mindless, cruel activity carried out by individuals who take pleasure in watching animals suffer.
ROBBIE MARSLAND
coursing near South Lochton Farm at Abernyte, where a silver Defender and a navy car were spotted driving suspiciously around fields.
Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, told The Courier: “Hare coursing is a mindless, cruel activity carried out by individuals who take pleasure in watching animals suffer.
“Those who participate should be exposed and brought to justice. It is clearly concerning that coursing incidents appear to be on the rise and we would urge anyone with information to contact police.”
Chief Inspector Graham Binnie, local area commander for Perth and Kinross, said gambling can play a role in the bloodsport which has been illegal in Scotland since the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.
Ch Insp Binnie said: “We have seen an upsurge in reports in the area recently and I would urge anyone to report this type of crime. If you are a farmer or a landowner and you’d like to report any suspicious activity on your land – particularly suspicious people with dogs such as lurchers or greyhounds – contact police on 101.”
Witnesses to the Coupar Angus incident said the driver of the vehicle was white, in his 50s, short and heavy built with short brown hair, and was wearing a grey zip-up top and blue jeans.