Cruel hare coursers caused dog ‘horrific suffering’
A dog used in hare coursing was so badly injured when discovered by police that it had to be put down.
Its owner, Shane Hooton, was one of three men who travelled two hours to land at Waddingham north of Lincoln for a hare coursing match in February last year.
The trio had three dogs with them, two white and one black. The black dog’s injuries were so severe that it was euthanised.
DC Aaron Flint, Lincolnshire Police Wildlife Crime Officer, said: “When officers saw the horrific injuries to the black dog they immediately took it to a vet where it was sadly put to sleep.
“The owner, Shane Hooton, had known of the dog’s injuries for six days. He appears to have stitched and glued the injury himself; there is evidence he even talked about stapling it. By taking the dog hare coursing the defendants caused horrendous and completely unnecessary suffering to a dog; they should have sought immediate veterinary care,
“They were all involved in hare coursing, and two of them ignored Criminal Behaviour Orders designed to protect animals and the public.
“This case shows that when offenders choose to disregard the law and animal welfare, we will respond robustly.
“Lincolnshire Police will continue to target those who think they can act with cruelty and impunity.”
The men had travelled to Lincolnshire in a silver Vauxhall Vectra and were seen on land near the A15. They had lined themselves up, approximately 50m apart across a field; one of the dogs was witnessed actively pursuing a hare.
When officers arrived, the men were seen running to their silver car; officers had already blocked it in. The three hare coursers were arrested. Their phones, vehicle and dogs were seized.
Evidence was found that revealed the injury to the black dog happened days earlier. A graphic video found on one of the phones, filmed on 6 February, showed the severity of its injuries and the dog crying.
Hooton, 33, of Thistle Hill, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, trespassing with intent to search for or to pursue hares and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
He was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years with a 15-year Criminal Behaviour Order and disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years. He must complete 180 hours unpaid work and pay a £114 surcharge plus £85 prosecution costs.
John Langan, 39 of The Hawthorns, Great Ayton, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order. He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 180 hours community work. He must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
Thomas Jaffray, 42, Eastwood Road, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs. He was sentenced to an 18-month community order and must complete 150 hours unpaid work. He must pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs. The silver Vauxhall Vectra has been confiscated.
The defendants must all pay kennelling and care costs of £1733 each.