Pair fined for hare coursing offences

Hare Coursing was banned under the Hunting Act in 2004

Two men have been fined after admitting being in the countryside with the intent of coursing hares.

Police were called to private land near Burbage in Wiltshire in October 2024 after two men were seen acting suspiciously by a member of the public, with two lurcher dogs.

Paul Doherty, 41, of Wexford Road, Bristol and John Head, 51, of Blackhorse Lane in Downend, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on 12 March and pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs.

Firearms officers also seized items relating to the illegal hunting, the court was told.

PC Sam Higton of Wiltshire Police's Rural Crime team said coursing causes "distress" to hares and other wildlife as well as "significant damage to crops, land and farmers' property".

He added Operation Galileo - a national police response to hare coursing - had been "very successful in reducing the cruel and brutal activity".

The pair were fined £300 each and ordered to pay £120 victim surcharge and £85 costs.