Three fined for hunting with dogs in Norfolk
One man also admitted using a slingshot to take, kill, or injure a deer
Three men have been fined for hunting with dogs in Norfolk.
It comes after officers received reports of suspicious activity at Trowse on Sunday 22 December 2024 at around 12.10pm.
Three men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of hunting with dogs and taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
Frederick Eastwood, aged 43, of Ship Lane, South Ockendon, Essex, Charles Brown, aged 41, of Swansland Gardens, London, and Benjamin Dennard, aged 38 of Darenth Wood Road, Dartford, Essex were all charged with hunting a wild mammal with a dog.
Dennard admitted a further charge of using a slingshot to take, kill, or injure a deer.
All three pleaded guilty and appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 31 January 2025.
They were sentenced as follows:
• Eastwood - Fines, victim surcharge, and kennelling costs totalling £1,888
• Dennard - Fines, victim surcharge, and kennelling costs totalling £2,592
• Brown - Fines, victim surcharge, and kennelling costs totalling £1,240
All seven dogs seized on the day will now be re-homed, and the slingshot destroyed.
Rural Crime Officer PC Chris Shelley said: "Hunting wild mammals using dogs is not only illegal but cruel.
“For those living in rural communities the fear of this crime and the associated offending causes significant harm.
"As a force we remain committed to using all the powers we have to tackle this sort of offending.”