Overview

This bill aims to strengthen laws against hare coursing in England and Wales by increasing penalties, expanding police powers, and creating a new offence of being equipped for hare coursing. It amends existing acts to achieve this.

Description

The Hare Coursing Bill makes several key changes to existing legislation:

• Increased Penalties: Significantly increases the maximum prison sentence for trespassing in search of hares to six months, and removes the requirement for five or more people for certain offences involving hare coursing, enabling prosecution of individuals.
• New Offence: Creates a new offence of being found equipped for hare coursing, meaning possessing items for this purpose outside one's home.
• Expanded Police Powers: Extends police powers to seize and detain dogs believed to be used in hare coursing, and allows for the recovery of costs associated with their detention from convicted owners.
• Amendments to Existing Acts: Amends the Game Laws (Amendment) Act 1960, the Night Poaching Act 1828, and the Game Act 1831 to incorporate the new provisions and increase penalties.

Government Spending

The bill is likely to lead to increased government spending on policing and potentially the kennelling of seized dogs. Exact figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Hare Coursers: Face significantly increased penalties and the risk of dog seizure and associated costs.
• Police: Granted additional powers to tackle hare coursing, potentially increasing their workload.
• Dog Owners: Those whose dogs are used for hare coursing risk having their dogs seized and incurring costs for their detention.
• Landowners: May experience reduced instances of hare coursing on their land.
• Hares: The bill aims to better protect hares from the illegal activity of coursing.

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