Men charged with hare coursing after police chase
Getty ImagesSeven men have been charged with hare coursing offences after dead hares, lurchers and suspected poaching equipment were found in vehicles.
Officers responded to reports of three cars reportedly involved in hare coursing across rural land near Ludgershall in Wiltshire on Saturday.
One of the vehicles was stopped following a pursuit on the A303 in Hampshire, while another was found abandoned, police said.
The men have all been bailed and are due to appear before Salisbury Magistrates' Court in August.
The following men have been charged with being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs:
- Paddy Cash, 20, of Watling Farm Close, Stanmore, near London
- Patrick Connors, 27, of Devonshire Green, Farnham Royal, Slough
- Tommy Frankham, 21, of Sandy Lane, Bushey, Hertfordshire
- John Nicholson, 20, of Northlands, Royston, Barnsley, South Yorkshire
- Joseph Smith, 25, of Leatherhead, Surrey
- Albert Smith, 25, of Woodstock Lane South, Chessington, Surrey
- Nathan Smith, 18, of Chalfont Road, Chalfont Saint Giles, Buckinghamshire
Sup Int Conway Duncan, from Wiltshire Police, said the force was committed to tackling these offences.
"We recognise the impact crimes like hare coursing have on our rural and farming communities," he said.
"We rely on reports from the public to help us target our operational activity. If you see hare coursing taking place, ring 999 to report a crime in progress."
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