Hare coursing — using dogs to chase and kill hares — was banned under the Hunting Act 2004 in England and Wales, and equivalent legislation in Scotland. Despite this ban, illegal coursing remains a persistent problem in rural areas, causing significant welfare harm to hares and distress to landowners and farming communities.
Hares subjected to coursing experience:
The Hunting Act 2004 banned hare coursing, hare hunting with dogs, and other forms of hunting wild mammals with dogs in England and Wales. The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 provides equivalent protection in Scotland. Illegal coursing carries penalties including unlimited fines, prison sentences, and confiscation of dogs and vehicles.
Illegal coursing is organised, mobile, and difficult to police effectively. Groups operate across county boundaries, making coordination between police forces essential. Camera evidence from drones and CCTV has improved prosecution rates. Operation Galileo (National Wildlife Crime Unit) coordinates multi-agency responses. In 2022, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act increased penalties for illegal coursing.
The brown hare is a species of conservation concern in the UK, having declined by approximately 75% since the 1880s. Agricultural intensification is the primary cause, but illegal coursing adds additional mortality pressure to an already-reduced population. Any significant coursing activity in an area can locally suppress hare populations.
Landowners and members of the public who witness illegal coursing should report it to police (999 if in progress, 101 for non-emergency reports) and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and National Farmers Union have produced guidance on documenting evidence. Community Watch schemes in rural areas have improved early warning and response.