Hare coursing

"We understand the true impact of hare coursing on our rural communities, especially farmers who are trying to go about their daily business"

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary has said it expects to see a rise in hare coursing incidents over the next few weeks

One of the hare coursers had travelled over 140 miles to pursue in rural crime

"Notwithstanding the real cruelty and horror of these offences, the farmers have their land and crops damaged and that can have long-term financial consequences"

Lincolnshire Police said the four men had caused 'great distress' to the farmer

Cleveland Police said three men had been caught hare coursing on private farmland in the Cleveland area with the help of a police drone operator

"Poachers do not come to catch game to take for the pot. It is a sport to them. It is a killing machine."

Michael Chaulk and William Smith were also handed court costs, disqualified from driving and a deprivation order for all four dogs at Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court

Four Cambridgeshire men have been fined and given suspended jail terms following successful police prosecution