All,
A message from the Bedfordshire Mammal Recorder and a conversation with a local farmer has prompted me to post this:
This tasteless activity is on of the fastest growing areas of rural crime. If you witness suspicious activity, contact your local constabulary immediately - everyone who uses and enjoys the countryside should have this number programmed into their mobile 'phnes for a variety of reasons. Note down any descriptions and vehicle details. However, do not place yourself at risk - those participating in this activity can be rather unsavoury characters and may be involved in other crimes.
Also, never disclose where you have seen hares on public forums or message boards as this information is available to coursers. It is a sad fact that many otherwise nature-loving landowners are so frustrated with coursers trespassing on their land that they themselves are (lawfully) shooting hares - no hares, no coursers.
ATB,
DOM
Leave only footprints, kill only time.
Hi DOM
I have heard of news recently about this activity
I wish these horrible people would leave 'wild' animals alone all together - I am sure that they are involved in other activities of animal cruelty too....nothing would surprise me at all.
Yes, I will bear in mind what you have said, about steering well clear of these characters too.
I am sure that MarJus will be interested in this thread too
Regards
Kathy and Dave
How can anyone who is not mentally ill find enjoyment in this sort of thing? They really are the dregs of human society.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever.
Hare coursing has been a perennial problem where I stay.
Look out for old transit vans parked in unusual or half hidden places and be wary of groups of people "excersing" lurcher type dogs around field edges.
Fortunately our local constabulary has been very helpful and proactive regarding this issue. Last year there were several successful prosecutions.
"The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom" - Wlliam Blake
Hi Claire
Thank you for the tip.
I could visulise that being the case with the type of characters that do this type of sport.
The van and the dogs will be the most important things to have
This foetid pastime convinces me even more than any debate about fox hunting that the Hunting Act must stay on the statute books.
JBNTS
Every day a little more irate about bird of prey persecution, and I have a cat - Got a problem with that?
i agree whole heartedly JB this activity was rife in this area> i am pleased to say this is a police priority now, under the control of a special wildlife officer
i am pleased to also say the hare population is increasing in one secluded spot! wont say where or how just in case
Izzy
I think maybe we should add the crime of digging out of Badger setts to our list of things to look out for.Our local wildlife crime officers try their best in these matters but they are very thin on the ground and wildlife crime is only a fraction of their workload.Once again it is better just report your suspicions as it may be dangerous to approach the culprits
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
This is just sickening. I saw a TV programme that showed the type of despicable people to look out for. The people that do this are the dregs of society.
I will get my local constabulary programmed into my mobile phone, but what do you do if you're in an area that's away from home?
Best wishes Chris
Click Here to see my photos
Recently near where I live someone had set some illegal eel nets. Four otters have been found trapped and drowned in them. Wildlife crime seems to be a growing problem.
CJ
cjbeady said: Wildlife crime seems to be a growing problem.
In this day and age the police (certainly in rural areas)are so thinly spread that wildlife crime is probably low on their priority list and as the cut backs bite it will no doubt get worse.One of our local WCO's does a lot of investigations in his own time.Maybe we should be pushing the government to put countryside crime higher up the list but I doubt if that will happen.