Police hunt Cambridgeshire hare courser after dog was caught on camera killing hare in blood sport banned since 2004

Police hunt Cambridgeshire hare courser after dog was caught on camera killing hare in blood sport banned since 2004



Distressing images have emerged showing a group of hare coursers in action in Cambridgeshire. The pictures, shared by the Ely Standard, were taken after a group of four men and a 12-year-old boy were spotted hunting hares in the countryside.

The images show one man swinging a hare by its legs, moments before brutally bashing it against the top of his car.

Other pictures show a dog grabbing hold of one of the small animals using its teeth.

The photographs were taken earlier today near the Cambridge Services just off the A14.

Cambridgeshire Police have been handed the images and have now launched an investigation to find the owner of the Honda captured in the photographs.

One police officer was quoted as saying the coursers are ‘an absolute menace’.

He said the Rural Crime Action Team were determined to catch all culprits found operating in Cambridgeshire.

Hare coursing is a bloodsport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares.

The practice was banned in the UK by the Hunting Act 2004. However, it still takes place illegally in the countryside – particularly in areas with flat farmland such as Cambridgeshire.

In August, seven police forces announced they were joining forces in an attempt to curb ‘cruel’ bloodsports.

Shocking photographs of hare coursing in action in Cambridgeshire have been caught on camera.
Shocking photographs of hare coursing in action in Cambridgeshire have been caught on camera.
This image shows the moment a dog caught a hare in its jaws after a chase across a field in Cambridgeshire
This image shows the moment a dog caught a hare in its jaws after a chase across a field in Cambridgeshire
The photos were taken today (Sunday) near the Cambridge Services just off the A14
The photos were taken today (Sunday) near the Cambridge Services just off the A14
Hare coursing was banned under the Hunting Act 2004, but still takes place illegally in areas of flat farmland such as Cambridgeshire
Hare coursing was banned under the Hunting Act 2004, but still takes place illegally in areas of flat farmland such as Cambridgeshire
Hare coursing is a bloodsport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares.
Hare coursing is a bloodsport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares.
Cambridgeshire Police's Rural Crime Action Team are 'determined' to catch all culprits found operating in Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team are ‘determined’ to catch all culprits found operating in Cambridgeshire

Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Kent forces stated they would work together and remove their borders in relation to hare coursing.

The agreement was backed by the Crown Prosecution Service and it means that anyone who participates in three incidents linked to hare coursing can be prosecuted, regardless of the area in which the offences were committed.

This article by Stewart Carr was first published by The Mail Online on 3 October 2021. Lead Image: Greyhounds and lurchers are specially trained by criminals, many of whom are believed to come from England – Getty Images.


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