Police crack down on hare coursing
The illegal sport, which involves the hunting of brown hares using dogs, normally lurchers, was banned in Scotland in 2002 and carries a fine of up to £5,000 and six months’ imprisonment.
Grampian Police yesterday urged farmers to be vigilant for an anticipated rise in hare coursing in the coming weeks.
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Hide AdAnd the force announced that, as part of “Operation Lepus”, its Wildlife Crime Unit would be mounting targeted patrols.
Andy Turner, the force’s wildlife crime education officer, said: “Although the animals involved are not rare, they can suffer a cruel death at the hands of the poachers… Many modern poachers are part of organised criminal gangs.”