Man fined after being found guilty of hare coursing in Lancashire
4x4 vehicle was also seized
Last updated 9th Oct 2023
A man from Liverpool has been hit with a fine of over £500 after he was convicted of offences under the Hunting Act 2004.
Our South Rural Task Force were called to land near to the Merseyside / Lancashire border in February after reports a man had been seen hare coursing by the landowner.
Officers attended, stopping and searching a 4x4 vehicle in a nearby residential street.
Liam Doherty, 33, from Ince Road, Liverpool was convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dog/s under the Hunting Act 2004 and was ordered to pay £537 in fines and costs. The vehicle used in the offence was also seized.
South Rural Police Taskforce officer PC Helen Williams said: “Hare coursing can be extremely distressing for our community as offenders commit cruel acts towards our wildlife.
“It is a misconception for people to think this is a minor crime in the countryside. Those involved in hare coursing trespass on land, damaging crops and property.
“The measures farmers have to put in place to deter these offenders cost considerable amounts of money which in turn is passed onto food consumers. The South Rural Task Force is committed to stamping out wildlife crime in Lancashire and we would like to thank local farmers and landowners for reporting these offences.” Hear all the latest news from across Lancashire on the hour, every hour, on 97.4FM, DAB, at rockfm.co.uk, and on the Rock FM app.