North Yorkshire farmers back plans to give tougher sentences to people caught hare coursing
Hare coursing is an illegal activity - where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares - and is a serious problem in North Yorkshire
Farmers across North Yorkshire are backing a bill to give tougher sentences to those caught hare coursing.
The second reading of the Hare Coursing Bill is taking place in parliament today and will make provision about hare coursing offences; to increase penalties for such offences; and for connected purposes.
Hare coursing is an illegal activity - where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares - and is a serious problem in North Yorkshire.
Not only does hare coursing involve cruelty to wild animals, it is also associated with a range of other criminal activities, including theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation.
Charles Mills, show director at the Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate and farmer near York, said:
"At least the last 45 years of my life I can remember this being an issue but it is becoming increasingly more challenging in the last five years. It's not just about going out to chase a hare but it involves money and recording these horrible actions.
"There are not so many farmers as there used to be, there aren't as many on the ground so it's difficult to assemble enough people to stop these people that arrive on your land and therefore it seems easy for them.
"These people when you approach them they're not bothered what they do. Back when I was a lot younger they actually put me in hospital and if anything that made me more determined to stop such like people. You can't ignore it and as long as I'm alive I will not ignore it.
"I love everything about the countryside and I don't see why it should be destroyed by a few people who want to persecute wildlife. It's not acceptable to me and not to many others."
Plans to strengthen the powers and penalties available to tackle the practice of hare coursing were set out by the Government at the beginning of 2022, with MPs set to look over them in Parliament today (21 January).
The proposals include increasing the maximum penalty for trespassing to an unlimited fine and introducing – for the first time – the possibility of up to six months’ imprisonment.
Trespass with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare and being equipped to trespass with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare could both punishable on conviction by an unlimited fine and/or up to six months’ imprisonment.
Those convicted may also be forced to the reimbursement of costs incurred by the police in kennelling dogs seized in connection with a hare coursing-related offence as well as potentially disqualifying an offender from owning or keeping a dog.