Brown hares are one of the UK's most characteristic mammals, yet they face multiple threats including habitat loss and illegal coursing. Understanding hare welfare helps protect these animals.
Hare coursing causes direct welfare harm: the chase involves intense fear and physiological stress as hares attempt to escape pursuing dogs; injuries from being caught are severe; and death is often prolonged. Even when hares escape injury, the physiological stress of coursing events can cause cardiac stress sufficient to cause death in otherwise healthy animals. Illegal coursing continues despite the legal ban and causes significant welfare harm to hare populations in affected areas. The welfare and conservation case for stronger enforcement of coursing bans is aligned.