Rural police hit out at hare coursing ‘thugs’

PEOPLE who go hare coursing in the Cotswolds have been branded “thugs” by police.

Officers were dismayed to find the shredded remains of hares as a result of the blood sport.

In a strongly worded tweet, the rural crime team said: “Yet more hare coursing in the Cotswolds.

“Such beautiful animals targeted and unnecessarily slaughtered by thugs.” They also included a graphic image. Hare coursing involves greyhounds hunting down hares using sight rather than scent, and has been happening on Gloucestershire farmland.

Some gangs of coursers travel long distances to course hares, and the illegal activity is sometimes recorded and replayed later on for betting purposes.

A variety of sighthounds are used – usually greyhounds, but whippets, deerhounds, Borzois and Salukis are chosen too.

Police have told people what to look out for, including groups of vehicles parked in a rural area, perhaps by a gateway or on a grass verge.

Hare coursers will usually use estate cars, 4x4s or vans and there could be easy-to-spot evidence of dogs, officers say.

They will often travel in convoy, with vans at the front and rear containing minders. Binoculars will be used to spot hares, and coursers will often walk along the edge of a field to frighten a hare into the open.

If you are suspicious, call 999 or 101 but don’t approach those taking part.

PC Ashley Weller, part of the rural crime team in the Cotswolds, said the hare coursing season usually runs from July to March, but can vary depending on the height of crops.

The taller the crops, the better concealment they provide for the hares from the hounds.

“Hare coursing is very common in the Cotswolds due to the topography of the land and the habitat, which is perfect for hares,” PC Weller said previously.

“However, due to the ongoing work and counter measures carried out by the rural crime team, the problem is decreasing year on year.

“Hare coursing is a criminal offence. If you think a crime is in progress call 999.”