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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd January 2018
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Hare coursing gangs ‘will stop at nothing’, police say
Using dogs to chase hares for sport is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004 and the Game Act 1831.
Witnesses asked to report information to police

Cambridgeshire Police are urging the public to be vigilant for hare coursers, with one sergeant saying gangs ‘will stop at nothing’ to carry out their pursuits.

In an online blog, Sergeant Andy Street said hare coursing gangs often come from various parts of the country. As well as the obvious animal cruelty issues, they frequently ‘drive across fields of newly set crops, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage and threatening anyone that challenges them,’ he explained.

Using dogs to chase hares for sport is illegal under the Hunting Act 2004 and the Game Act 1831, yet it is one of the local issues that police received most calls about during autumn and winter.

Sergeant Street said he has even ‘known of cases where the coursers have driven straight through the farmyard to get onto a field and when asked not to do so have responded with threats of violence, some have even threatened to burn down the farmer’s home.’

Cambridgeshire Police set up the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) to help tackle this issue as well as other rural crime, but Sergeant Street emphasised that they are only a small team covering the entire county. Often, calls are attended by local officers that are ‘not always best equipped to deal with the problem’.

‘The coursers are always in 4x4s and it’s difficult to catch them on fields and muddy droves when driving a front wheel drive patrol car,’ he added. ‘This is why we have to work together and we need you the public to be vigilant. If you see this taking place please call the police. Note down registration numbers and descriptions of vehicles.’

Sharing such intelligence gives the police an ‘early warning system of what and who to look out for’. The RCAT are pursuing civil court injunctions, to stop known offenders from going to the county at all, and giving police greater powers to deal with them when they do.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.