Hare Coursing

📢 Wantage & Grove NHPT 📢

Almost a year ago, we shared this photo of PC Oldroyd with two dogs that had been abandoned in our area and were believed to be linked to hare coursing activity.

The post received a huge amount of attention, and unfortunately, we're now approaching that time of year again—slightly earlier than expected due to the recent warm, dry weather and fields being cut sooner.

So, what is hare coursing?
Hare coursing is an illegal activity where dogs are deliberately used to chase hares across open farmland. 
Those involved often trespass onto private land, cause damage to crops and fields, and can be linked to wider criminality. 
It can also lead to intimidation of farmers, landowners and members of the public who challenge those responsible.
As more fields are harvested and become accessible, the risk of hare coursing increases across our rural communities.

🚓 We will be increasing patrols in hotspot areas, but you can help us too.

❗ Please call 999 if you see:
🐕 Multiple dogs running loose in fields.
🚙 Vehicles driving through fields or accessing farmland where they shouldn't be.
🐶 Vehicles carrying several dogs in suspicious circumstances.
👀 Any activity that just doesn't look right.

Even if you're not completely sure what you're seeing, we'd rather receive the call and check it out than miss an opportunity to prevent crime and protect our countryside.

Our rural communities are often our eyes and ears. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts and report it.