Men hit with hare coursing conviction
TWO men have been banned from being anywhere in England and Wales with a dog after being convicted of hare coursing in Ormskirk.
Warren Kelly, 35, and Andrew Dutton, 58, were given five-year criminal behaviour orders after they were convicted of four offences under the Game Act and two offences under the Hunting act, for Hare Coursing in Ormskirk.
The pair, from Chester, were known to poach all over Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Humberside, Merseyside, North Wales, Cheshire, West Mercia, Shropshire and Bedfordshire.
Lancashire Police said the order bans them from being anywhere in England and Wales in possession or control of a dog other than in their home address and from being with any person anywhere in England and Wales with a dog.
It also bans them out of “huge portions” of Lancashire and Merseyside “from acting in a manner that is likely to cause harassment, alarm and distress”.
In addition, they were ordered to pay almost £1,000 in fines and costs and had their poaching equipment forfeited from them.
South Rural Police Taskforce officer PC Paddy Stewart said: “Hare coursing and poaching can be extremely distressing for our community, who feel unable to challenge the offenders.
“This is not ‘one for the pot’ poaching, these offenders travel around the country committing cruel acts towards our wildlife and whilst doing so wreak havoc on our rural communities.
“Farmers regularly tell me of threats and intimidation when they challenge trespassers on their land who are involved in poaching.
“It is a misconception for people to think this is a minor crime in the countryside. Like many other wildlife crimes, those involved in hare coursing are often hardened criminals, using threats, intimidation and in some cases violence, against anyone who questions or challenges their actions.
“They trespass on land, damaging crops and property.
“Many people won’t know that the brown Hare is listed as a Conservation Priority in the UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan, meaning we should be doing all we can to protect this vulnerable species.”
The areas covered in the ban include: Tarleton, Hesketh Bank, Banks, Sollom, Rufford, Merebrow, Burscough, Ormskirk,
Downholland, Halsall, Altcar, Scarisbrick, Aughton, Southport, Bickerstaffe, Simmonswood, Ainsdale, Hillside, Birkdale, Churchtown, Kew, Croston, Dalton, Newburgh, Lathom, Mawdsley, Wrightington, Hilldale, Parbold, Appley Bridge, Roby Mill, Ince, Blundell, Maghull, Kirkby, Lydiate and Melling.
Sergeant Darren Car added: “The measures farmers have to put in place to deter these offenders cost considerable amounts of money which in turn is passed onto food consumers.
These criminal behaviour orders will offer safety for the community and protection to vulnerable species.
“I am extremely proud of my team’s hard work in securing these convictions and orders for our community.
“Due to the feeling of isolation in rural areas and previous experience of threats, it takes great courage for farmers to step forward and we will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in the fight against wildlife crimes and animal cruelty.”
Anyone who sees the two men in the West Lancashire area can report a breach through 101 or lancashire. police.uk/reportonline.