RICKY HANRATTY AND STEVEN MCDONALD FROM OLDMELDRUM CAUGHT HARE COURSING IN ABERDEENSHIRE AND DUMFRIES

In a serious crackdown on illegal hunting activities, two men from Aberdeenshire, Ricky Hanratty and Steven McDonald, have been convicted of participating in hare coursing, a cruel and unlawful blood sport involving the use of dogs to chase and kill wild hares. The incidents took place over a span of several years, with both men engaging in this illegal activity in different locations within the region.

Steven McDonald, born around 1984 and residing on Duff Drive in Oldmeldrum, was first linked to the crime on August 21, 2019. Witnesses reported seeing McDonald, who was later identified by authorities, allowing his dogs to pursue and kill a brown hare in Mosstown Field, situated in Udny, Aberdeenshire. The witness's account was corroborated when police officers, along with a gamekeeper, recovered the hare's carcass from the field shortly after McDonald was seen leaving the scene. This incident marked the beginning of a series of illegal hare coursing activities involving McDonald.

Further evidence of McDonald's involvement was captured on film on February 11, 2020, at Ardconnon Farm near Oldmeldrum. In the footage, he was seen wearing a distinctive blue jacket while participating in hare coursing activities. Similarly, Ricky Hanratty, born on December 12, 1993, and residing at 23 Cardens Knowe, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, was also recorded engaging in illegal hare coursing. On February 16, 2021, Hanratty was filmed at Milton-croft, Dumbreck, actively involved in the blood sport.

Both men admitted to their involvement in hare coursing on multiple occasions between 2019 and 2021. Their actions not only caused suffering to the animals involved but also violated numerous wildlife protection laws. As part of their sentencing, the court imposed strict penalties to prevent future offenses. McDonald received a four-month restriction of liberty order and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was banned from keeping dogs for eight years, a restriction set to expire in April 2031. Hanratty was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work and received a three-year ban on keeping dogs, which will expire in April 2026.

The court's decision underscores the seriousness of illegal hare coursing and aims to deter others from engaging in such cruelty. Both individuals are now legally prohibited from owning or keeping dogs, and they have been ordered to surrender all animal collars associated with their activities. The case has garnered attention from local and national news outlets, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime in Aberdeenshire and beyond.