Hare coursing law has larger penalties from August

Tougher penalties for hare coursers are to start on August 1.

New measures in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act enhance police and court powers to tackle the illegal sport.

Measures in the Act include increasing the maximum prison sentence to six months and uncapping the fine, allowing dog ownership disqualification orders for offenders and the recovery of kennelling costs for seized animals, and a new criminal offence of trespassing with intent to pursue a hare.

Their inclusion in the Bill was the culmination of more than four years of intensive campaigning by the Countryside Alliance, alongside partners including the National Farmers Union( NFU) and Country Land and Business Association (CLA), among other organisations.