LIAM DOHERTY CAUGHT HARE COURTING IN THORNTON NEAR LANCASHIRE BORDER

Liam Doherty, a known serial hare courser from Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool, has once again been implicated in illegal wildlife activities involving the use of dogs to hunt wild hares. The 2023 conviction marks his continued involvement in this cruel practice, which has serious legal and ecological repercussions.

In February 2023, officers from the South Rural Task Force responded to reports of hare coursing on land near the Lancashire and Merseyside border. The landowner had observed suspicious activity, prompting a police investigation. During the operation, law enforcement officials stopped and searched a four-wheel-drive vehicle in a nearby residential area, which was linked to the illegal activity.

Following the investigation, Liam Doherty was charged and convicted under the Hunting Act 2004 for hunting a wild mammal with dogs. This conviction is not his first; in January 2016, Doherty, along with James Reid and Neil Walsh, was convicted of similar offences. At that time, the trio was caught entering farmland with four dogs, intent on hunting protected brown hares. Their actions led to the issuance of Criminal Behaviour Orders, which prohibited them from entering large areas of West Lancashire with dogs or associating with others who had dogs, until June 2017.

PC Helen Williams of the South Rural Police Task Force emphasized the seriousness of hare coursing, stating, “Hare coursing can be extremely distressing for our community as offenders commit cruel acts towards our wildlife. It is a misconception for people to think this is a minor crime in the countryside.” She further explained that trespassers damage crops and property, and the costs incurred by farmers to deter such activities are ultimately passed on to consumers.

In the recent case, Liam Doherty was ordered to pay fines totaling £537, which covered both the penalties and associated costs. Additionally, the vehicle used during the offence was seized by authorities. The police reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating wildlife crime in Lancashire and thanked local farmers and landowners for their vigilance and reporting of such offences.

These ongoing efforts highlight the persistent challenge law enforcement faces in combating illegal hare coursing, a practice that not only harms wildlife but also disrupts rural communities and incurs significant economic costs. Liam Doherty’s repeated involvement underscores the need for continued vigilance and enforcement to protect the region’s natural heritage and uphold the law.