Bucks MP raises concerns over livestreaming illegal harecousing for overseas betting
Hare coursing targets brown hares, a declining species threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Last updated 26th Apr 2022
Aylesbury's MP has raised concerns over harecoursing in his constituency and its links to betting syndicates in China.
Ministers have warned heavily-armed criminals are livestreaming the illegal sport - where a dog is set on a hare
Conservative MP Rob Butler raised concerns over people encroaching on to land owned by farmers in his constituency of Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire, to catch and kill hares with dogs.
Hare coursing targets brown hares, a declining species threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and is associated with theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation of landowners who challenge the criminals.
Proposed legislation on the verge of becoming law includes increasing the possible penalties for trespassing in pursuit of game to an unlimited fine and - for the first time - a prison sentence of up to six months.
Two new criminal offences for hare coursing will also be introduced, which will be punishable by unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to six months.
The measures will apply to England.
Mr Butler told the House of Commons: "I've been very alarmed to hear of large-scale and dangerous hare coursing in my constituency where heavily-armed people are coming on to farmers' land and they're livestreaming these chases to China where there is heavy betting being put on the chases."
"So will my right honourable friend support Thames Valley Police in their efforts to tackle this appalling offence and reassure farmers in Buckinghamshire that rural crime will always be taken seriously by this Government?"
Home Secretary Priti Patel replied: "(Mr Butler) is absolutely right, he knows the strength of feeling around this issue amongst the frontbench and colleagues on our side of the House, which is why we have the Police, Crime, Courts and Sentencing Bill that we're urging everyone to back."
"And I'd like to commend Thames Valley Police in particular for everything they're doing on this."