Lincolnshire Police officers have been given the power to direct people to leave the county amid information received that a gathering of hare coursers is due to take place on Saturday. (Feb 11)
The dispersal order can be used on people suspected of being involved in hare coursing.
The force said: “Extra officers will be patrolling the county and our rural communities are asked to be extra vigilant and report any suspected hare coursing on 101 or 999 if in progress.
“Hare coursing is a cruel and illegal activity where dogs (normally Salukis or a Saluki/Lurcher cross) are released by people trespassing in a farmer’s field to chase hares.
“Often attending in large groups, the hare coursers’ gamble on the event and the aim isn’t for the dog to simply catch the hare – the dogs score points for making the poor animal change direction. As you may have predicted, the exhausted hare is eventually caught and savagely killed before being thrown in a ditch to hide the evidence.
“Hare coursers are often from outside of our county and there is a fear in our rural community that they may be involved in other types of crime including the theft of rural equipment, irresponsible and dangerous driving, and driving vehicles unfit for the road. These are issues which affect us all and we need your help to report those responsible.
“We recognise this is a growing problem in Lincolnshire and understandably it is causing unrest amongst our farming and rural communities. Farmers are growing increasingly frustrated at damage being caused to their fields and those that do stand up to hare coursers are subjected to extremely threatening and intimidating behaviour, and sometimes violence.”
The force said it is using all available legislation to seize dogs, vehicles and arrest offenders where possible, and achieve positive outcomes for victims through prosecutions.
The dispersal order is operational for 48 hours.
