TWO men who pleaded guilty to hare coursing in Burbage have received court fines.

Paul Robert Doherty, 41, of Wexford Road, Bristol and John Michael Head, 51, Blackhorse Lane, Gloucestershire were fined £300 each and ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

This comes after the pair were seen by a member of the public trespassing on private land with two lurcher dogs hare coursing on October 10

The men were located, and items relating to hare coursing were seized.

They appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on March 12 and pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, Section 63 Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

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PC Sam Higton of the rural crime team said: “This investigation was led by the rural crime team after assistance from specialist operations and response officers to locate and arrest the individuals.

“The cost of poaching and hare coursing in the rural communities is high, ranging from financial to the fear of crime for repeat victims.

“Whilst hare coursing causes distress, to not only to hares but also to other wildlife, there is usually significant damage to crops, land and farmers property.

“Wiltshire Police are part of Operation Galileo, which is a national response to hare coursing across the country.

“The operation has been very successful in reducing the cruel and brutal activity of hare coursing by identifying best practice and by using powerful deterrents; the confiscation and forfeiture of dogs, equipment and vehicles.

“If you notice concerning or suspicious activity in relation to hare coursing, such as the presence of 4×4 vehicles driving fast over open land, the presence of lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps, or congregations of groups in open farmland, please report this by calling 999.”