Men sentenced for hare coursing after tip-off
PA MediaThree men have admitted hare coursing offences after a witness tipped off police.
Police arrested the men, all from Liverpool, and seized their lurcher dogs near Wyke Lane in Scarisbrick, Lancashire, on 1 November 2024.
Joseph Hodgson, 22, of Acheson Road, Tuebrook, Mac Blackham, 19, of Yelverton Road, Anfield and Ben Blackham, 19, of Townsend Lane, Anfield, were sentenced at Preston Magistrates Court.
Each was given a community order, disqualifying from owning dogs for three years and ordered to carry out 40 hours of unpaid work.
'Barbaric'
They admitted hunting a wild mammal with dogs, trespass with intent to pursue hares with dogs, being equipped for hare coursing and entering land as trespasser at night with poaching equipment.
A police spokesman said hare coursing is "barbaric for the animals involved and extremely distressing for the rural community".
"We wish to reinforce the message that hare coursing will not be tolerated in Lancashire," they said.
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