Police respond to reports of hare coursing in Co Antrim

PSNI officers from Ballymena neighbourhood policing team were tasked to the Shillanavogy Road near Carnalbanagh recently following concerns being raised.

They are urging anyone who has information about the activity in this or other areas to come forward to assist police with the investigation.

"Our team are fully committed to increasing the level of awareness in relation to poaching and hare coursing as serious wildlife crimes,” a spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim PSNI said.

"If you have any information about illegal hare coursing please call the police or as an alternative to contacting us directly, information can be passed onto Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800555111 or https://orlo.uk/KUz7V.”

According to the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, a hare coursing event is defined as a competition in which the skill of dogs in hunting hares is assessed.

It is an offence for anyone to participate in, attend or knowingly facilitate a hare coursing event or permit his land to be used for the purposes of such an event. It is also an offence for any person to enter or permit a dog to be entered for a hare coursing event, or for any person to control or handle a dog in the course of or for the purposes of a hare coursing event.

Additionally, anyone who nets, transports or holds hares for the purpose of a hare coursing event, will also be committing an offence.