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| Operation Lepus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The coursing of hares and deer in rural Tayside is unfortunately still commonplace and is a source of irritation to
landowners, farmers and gamekeepers, as well as to most of those who live in or frequent the countryside. There is also strong evidence
that many of those involved in this illegal activity are also involved in other criminality.
Several successful prosecutions have taken place over the past two years as part of Operation Lepus. It is again the intention of Tayside Police, between 1 September 2007 and 31 May 2008, to take focussed and proactive measures against those involved whenever the opportunity arises. Police officers have been briefed in relation to the law in respect of coursing, their powers in different circumstances, and methods, in some cases, of negating some of the excuses proffered by those involved. Tayside procurators fiscal are aware of Operation Lepus and liaise with wildlife crime officers before a case comes to court. Although it must always be appreciated that, dependent on where they are and what other incidents are ongoing, police may take some time to arrive at a coursing incident. We will do our best to arrive as quickly as possible and take decisive action when the evidence allows. How the public can help
Bear in mind that in the offence of hunting a wild mammal, the definition of to hunt is to search for or course. That those involved may not catch a hare with their dogs or even chase a hare is not important - it is sufficient that it can be established that they are searching for hares for their dogs to course. It is not an offence, with the landowner's permission, to course a rabbit with a dog. Neither is it an offence if a dog inadvertently takes off after a hare while being walked - it must be proved to a court that the coursing is deliberate. Further help on poaching or other wildlife-related crime is available from Alan Stewart, Tayside Police Wildlife and Environment Officer, on 01739 892650 or mobile 07808 899113. This mobile number is normally available between 7.00am and 8.30pm including weekends and Alan is happy to help. Coursing detections update - August 2007 Results
Totals for Tayside 2005/6 : 63 incidents, 19 detected (30%)
Totals for Tayside 2006/7 : 40 incidents, 15 detected (37.5%) Penalties Penalties are mainly fines ranging between £150 and £400. In one case community service was imposed, one person was disqualified from driving for 2 years for using his car during the commission of hare coursing, and in a further two cases disqualification from driving was a penalty the sheriff was considering. Conclusions Many incidents have only a single eyewitness. In one case this was corroborated by an admission from the suspect, while in two other multi-charge cases the Moorov Doctrine was utilised. Evidence is also obtained from a search of the field or fields involved, with marks relevant to the search or pursuit of hares being found and shown on a sketch prepared for the court. Even though there may be insufficient evidence in some cases to enable a suspect to be charged, the proportion of such incidents where the suspect is known has increased considerably over the two-year period of the operation. The lower incidence of coursing in the second year indicates a degree of deterrence. This is more especially so since it is likely that the police are made aware of a higher proportion of incidents because of the awareness-raising and increased confidence of farmers. The increased detection rate from an estimated <10% prior to the operation to 30% in the first year and 37.5% in the second year is encouraging. All complainers are contacted as soon as possible after the incident by the Force Wildlife Crime Officer. This has the dual value of ensuring that best evidence has been made known and is being acted on, and ensures the complainers that the investigation of the incident is being taken seriously. |
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