Hare Coursing: Welfare Evidence and Legislative Change

Hare coursing — setting dogs to chase hares competitively — was banned in England in 2004 but illegal coursing persists, causing severe welfare harm to individual hares.

Key Facts

Hare coursing was banned under the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales; it was banned in Scotland in 2002
Illegal hare coursing causes hares to be chased by multiple dogs simultaneously, often resulting in severe injury or death
Brown hare populations have declined 75% since the 1960s — coursing persecution adds to agricultural habitat loss
Police operations targeting illegal hare coursing have prosecuted hundreds of individuals across England annually
The Countryside Alliance and other hunting lobby groups have argued for coursing rights reinstatement

Welfare Considerations

Illegal hare coursing involves deliberate infliction of fear, exhaustion, injury and often death on a wild animal for entertainment. Hares chased by lurchers or greyhounds experience extreme acute terror and physical trauma; their injuries including evisceration, limb amputation and death by crushing are well-documented in police and RSPCA evidence. The welfare case against coursing is indistinguishable from the case against any deliberate torture of a sentient animal. The persistence of illegal coursing despite the ban reflects organised criminal networks rather than a legitimate sporting tradition.

What You Can Do

Report suspected illegal hare coursing to police rural crime teams and the RSPCA investigations team
Support the Ban Wildlife Crime campaign and League Against Cruel Sports monitoring illegal coursing
Oppose any legislative attempt to reinstate hare coursing under any regulatory framework
Advocate for enhanced police resources for rural wildlife crime enforcement
Create hare-friendly habitat on your land: uncut grass margins, reduced pesticide use and cover crops