LINCOLNSHIRE POLICE CRACK DOWN ON HARE COURSERS, CONFISCATE DOGS AND FINE OFFENDERS
A group of hare coursers have been ordered to pay more than £34,000 in fines, kennelling fees, and court costs.Four men were stopped by police as they traveled in a black Ford Focus on Main Road, Gedney Dyke.
They were halted at around 1.45pm on Thursday, October 10, shortly after a report was made to Lincolnshire Police about men, a vehicle, and dogs chasing prey on arable land.
The incident occurred at Holbeach St Marks, a remote rural area in south Lincolnshire.
Officers observed the vehicle being driven and pulled it over, finding five individuals inside and four sight hound dogs in the rear.
The police reported that the number plate had been smeared in mud to obscure it.
The dogs, along with slip leads, a camouflage jacket, and mobile phones, were seized.
The men faced charges of being equipped for searching or pursuing hares.
All pleaded not guilty, but at a trial in Lincoln District Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 28, they were found guilty, with the case against a 15-year-old boy being withdrawn.
PC Karen Irving from the Rural Crime Team stated, 'Donât come to Lincolnshire hare coursing.
The dogs were seized and because the four men refused to sign the dogs over, they have incurred £28,560 in kennelling and welfare fees.' The court ordered that they wouldnât be getting their dogs back.
The authorities emphasize their commitment to stopping this illegal activity, protecting rural communities and wildlife.
Elijah King, 20, Joseph King, 41, both of Teston Road, Offham, West Malling, Kent, received fines of £750 each.
Charles Lee, aged 42, of Polhill Park, Polhill, Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, was fined £1,250.
The four men are also required to pay compensation of £7,140 for kennelling and welfare costs.
Additionally, they were handed Criminal Behaviour Orders banning them from entering Lincolnshire from July 31 to April 30, which coincides with the hare coursing season, and they are prohibited from entering any of the five counties under the East of England agreement with or in the company of anyone with dogs during this period.
A Deprivation Order was issued for four dogs—two brindle greyhounds, a cream lurcher, and a black and tan saluki greyhound—as well as leads, slip leads, and collars.
The offenders must also pay CPS costs of £162.50 and a victim surcharge of £300, with Charles Lee paying £500.
