Two men fined for hare coursing offences in Wiltshire
The pair admitted charges relating to an incident in Burbage
Two men have been fined after admitting hare coursing offences in Wiltshire.
4\1 year old Paul Robert Doherty from Bristol and 51 year old John Michael Head from Gloucestershire, have been sentenced at Swindon Magistrates Court.
They pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, in relation to an incident in Burbage in October last year.
Two men were seen on private land by a member of the public, with two lurcher dogs chasing hares.
Items connected to hare coursing were seized from the pair when they were arrested.
Doherty and Head have been fined £300 each, and ordered to pay £120 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.
PC Sam Higton, of the Rural Crime team said, "This investigation was led by the Rural Crime Team after assistance from Specialist Operations and response officers to locate and arrest the individuals.
"The cost of poaching and hare coursing in the rural communities is high ranging from financially to the fear of crime for repeat victims. Whilst hare coursing causes distress, to not only hares but other wildlife there is usually significant damage to crops, land and farmers property.
"Wiltshire Police are part of Operation Galileo, which is a national response to hare coursing across the country. The operation has been very successful in reducing the cruel and brutal activity of hare coursing by identifying best practice and by using powerful deterrents; the confiscation and forfeiture of dogs, equipment and vehicles.
"If you notice concerning or suspicious activity in relation to hare coursing, such as the presence of 4x4 vehicles driving fast over open land, the presence of lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps, or congregations of groups in open farmland, please report this by calling 999."