A hare coursing dog had such horrific injuries it had to be put to sleep

Three men have been sentenced after a hare coursing match; they ran a dog which had such significant injuries that it had to be put down.

Shane Hooton, John Langan and Thomas Jaffray travelled more than two hours to Lincolnshire for the match on 9 February last year.

The trio had three dogs with them, two white and one black. The black dog’s injuries were so severe that it sadly had to be put to sleep.

DC Aaron Flint, our Wildlife Crime Officer, said: “When officers saw the horrific injuries to the black dog they immediately took it to a vet where it was sadly put to sleep.

“The owner, Shane Hooton, had known of the dog’s injuries for six days. He appears to have stitched and glued the injury himself; there is evidence he even talked about stapling it. By taking the dog hare coursing the defendants caused horrendous and completely unnecessary suffering to a dog; they should have sought immediate veterinary care,

“They were all involved in hare coursing, and two of them ignored Criminal Behaviour Orders designed to protect animals and the public.

“This case shows that when offenders choose to disregard the law and animal welfare, we will respond robustly.

“Lincolnshire Police will continue to target those who think they can act with cruelty and impunity.”All three men had travelled to Lincolnshire on 9 February 25 in a silver Vauxhall Vectra.

Shortly before 1pm the men were seen on land at Waddingham near to the A15 in the north of the county. They had lined themselves up, approximately 50m apart across a field; one of the dogs was witnessed actively pursuing a hare.

When officers arrived, the men were seen running to their silver car; officers had already blocked it in. The three hare coursers were arrested. Their phones, vehicle and dogs were seized.

Evidence was found that revealed the injury to the black dog happened a number of days earlier.

A graphic video found on one of the phones, filmed on 6 February, showing the severity of the dog’s de-gloved chin. The video shows the dog crying as someone pulls her lips so her injury can be captured. Evidence was uncovered which indicated attempts had been made to glue and stitch the injury by the owner of the dog.

The images showing the injuries are so distressing we are not publishing them.

Further evidence was found on the phones that related to hare coursing. There were many photos, videos and voice messages relating to hare coursing.

Video evidence was also found of the men on their way to Lincolnshire and of their dogs and dead hares on the day they were arrested.

After their arrests they were interviewed. Langan denied any involvement in hare coursing and denied possession of the dogs or vehicle, Hooton declined to say anything in interview and Jaffray told the officers there wasn’t any evidence.

At court Shane Hooton, aged 33, of Thistle Hill, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, trespassing with intent to search for or to pursue hares and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order. He was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He was handed a 15-year Criminal Behaviour Order and is disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years. He must complete 180 hours unpaid work. He must pay £114 surcharge and £85 CPS costs.

John Langan, 39 of The Hawthorns, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs and breach a Criminal Behaviour Order. He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 180 hours community work. He must pay £154 surcharge and £85 costs.

Thomas Jaffray, 42, Eastwood Road, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs. He was sentenced to an 18-month community order and must complete 150 hours unpaid work. He must pay £114 surcharge and £85 CPS costs.The silver Vauxhall Vectra has been confiscated. And they must all pay kennelling and care costs of £1733 each.

Image is of the black dog in the boot of a car.  The injury to the dog cannot be seen. 

Image is of the silver Vauxhall Vectra in which the three men travelled to Lincolnshire and is now confiscated. 

Image is of John Langan.

Image is of Shane Hooton. 

Image is of Thomas Jaffray.