Update: Three suspected hare coursers arrested, dogs and car seized, Donington

Updated release, 21 November:

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of hare coursing offences after a dispersal order was put in place on the weekend.

We attended a report of hare coursing at Mallard Hurn, Donington, at 8.28am on 20 November.

A 4x4 car was located in the field and our officers arrested three men aged 33, 39, and 40.

We seized the car, and three hounds which have been taken to local kennels.

The three men from Nottingham, Reading and Bracknell Forest, have been released on police bail.

Investigations are ongoing. Incident 89 of 20 November refers.

Original release: 

This dispersal order has been put in place to tackle numerous incidents of suspected hare coursing reported to us across the county and will remain in place until 10.50am on Monday, 21 November 2022.

Hare coursing is a crime which involves dogs being used to chase, catch, and kill hares and often includes the betting of large amounts of money. Offenders are entering, and causing damage to, private land across Lincolnshire and it has become a real concern and problem for our rural communities. The act of hare coursing involves cruelty to animals and there is a strong association with offenders committing other criminal offences whilst in the county.

Superintendent Lee Pache, who oversees the Rural Crime Action Team, said: “We believe that many of the suspects involved in hare coursing are from outside Lincolnshire, are often linked to organised crime groups and will, as well as hare coursing, seek to commit other criminal acts against the community as a whole. We also have too many examples of these criminals also placing the public and police officers in real danger due to dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.”

“A message to anyone thinking about hare coursing in Lincolnshire: We will adapt our tactics and resources, and with the help of the people of Lincolnshire, we will arrest you, we will seize your vehicle, seize your dogs and work tirelessly to ensure a successful prosecution.”

 “I would urge the public to be vigilant. If you spot any potential hare coursers, please contact us immediately.”

 Report hare coursing to Lincolnshire Police

We want to warn members of the public not to approach anyone you suspect of hare coursing, and please do not put yourself at risk.

• If you see any live incidents of hare coursing taking place, please call us on 999, and note any vehicle descriptions or number plates, if you can.
• If you have any other information to help us tackle hare coursing in our county, please call us on 101 and quote ‘Incident 98 of 19 November’.