Grantham MP Gareth Davies has welcomed the strengthening of laws aimed at stopping the cruel and destructive crime of hare coursing. From 1st August 2022, significantly tougher measures came into force which strengthen existing legislation, provide new powers to our courts and create two new criminal offences: both for the act of trespass and for being equipped to trespass with the intention of using a dog to search for or pursue a hare. 

The maximum punishment for trespassing in pursuit of game under existing legislation has been increased to an unlimited fine and up to six months’ imprisonment, matching the punishment for the new offences. Courts now also have the power to order the reimbursement of costs incurred by the police in kennelling dogs seized and to prohibit offenders from owning a dog in the future.

As a longstanding campaigner for a tougher approach in dealing with hare coursing, Gareth has remained in regular contact with Lincolnshire Police on this issue since they launched their targeted Operation Galileo back in September 2020. In part to help combat hare coursing on a more local level, Lincolnshire Police launched their Rural Crime Action Team back in December.

More information can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-legislation-to-crack-down-on-illegal-hare-coursing-now-in-force

Gareth said: “Hare coursing can have a serious impact on rural communities, with the practice being directly linked to a range of other criminal activity, from theft, criminal damage, and violence. With these new measures and the continuing work of Lincolnshire Police, I am confident that we can act further to protect our community.”