Farmers asked to engage in hare coursing sentencing consultation
© Tim Scrivener Farmers are being urged to participate in a new consultation aimed at ensuring magistrates and judges make full use of the law when sentencing criminals for hare coursing.
Hare coursing is an illegal activity where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares.
It is also associated with a range of other criminal activities, including theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation.
See also: Police seek help identifying suspected hare coursers
Laws in force since 2022 stipulate that anyone caught hare coursing may face an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison – an increase in powers given to the courts from what was previously just a set fine.
Under the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, those found guilty of hare coursing can also be disqualified from owning or keeping dogs.
On conviction, they are responsible for reimbursing the costs incurred by the police for kennelling any suspect dogs.
A new consultation by the Sentencing Council is now seeking ways to ensure a consistent approach is taken in any sentencing.
It covers four offences associated with the crime, including trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
Consultation is positive step
NFU Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire chairman Freya Morgan, who farms near Bedford and has been a victim of hare coursing, said the consultation was a positive step forward and could make a real impact.
“There needs to be a better understanding of hare coursing and its impact across the whole criminal justice system,” she said.
In her own case, Mrs Morgan spent about £12,000 on increased security to protect her farm, and even resorted to hiring a private security firm to carry out night-time patrols.
“However, the crime doesn’t just impact farmers financially, but also has implications for mental health,” she said.
“With serious criminals operating on their land, often behaving in a very intimidating way, farmers don’t feel safe in their own homes.
“There has been some good progress, but more needs to be done.”
The consultation closes on 25 April and can be accessed via the Sentencing Council.