What is hare coursing and why is it illegal?

Hare coursing is where dogs are trained and used to chase, catch and kill live hares. Hare coursing is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004. It is illegal to participate, attend, knowingly facilitate or permit land to be used for a hare coursing event.

Is hare coursing legal in UK?

Hare coursing is a bloodsport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares. It is illegal in the UK under the Hunting Act 2004, which makes it an offence to hunt wild mammals with dogs.

Where are hare coursing clubs in the UK?

The National Hare Coursing Club was founded in 1858 and holds legal coursing events all over the country. “The ban has never been about the welfare of the animal, it’s all based on prejudice and ignorance.” With acres of open countryside, East Anglia is particularly popular for coursing, with nine official clubs and hundreds of members.

What kind of Bloodsport is hare coursing?

Hare coursing is a cruel bloodsport that involves releasing a defenceless hare into a large field before releasing greyhounds to chase after them. The hare will usually be given a 100 yard head start before the greyhounds are released.

How many hares are used in coursing in Ireland?

In Ireland, there are two forms of coursing: Enclosed coursing and open coursing. They both involve a live hare. Approximately 5,000 hares are used each coursing season. They are subjected to stressful environments, injury, and even death. In 1993 the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) were forced by the government to muzzle greyhounds at

When is the best time to Cours a hare?

The RSPCA, International Fund for Animal Welfare and numerous other organisations insist that hare coursing results in pain and suffering for the hare which is often injured or killed in the course of a heat. – Many hares produce their first litters in February.