Wiltshire Council is calling on residents to help tackle a growing issue linked to illegal hare coursing, which is leading to an increase in stray and injured dogs, particularly lurchers, across the county.

In the past three months, the council’s Dog Warden Team has collected 60 stray dogs, of which 20 were lurchers. Some of the dogs were found to be underweight or injured and are believed to be linked to illegal coursing activity. All strays are taken by the Dog Wardens to holding kennels, where they receive care and rehabilitation. Only three of the 20 lurchers have been claimed by owners, meaning the rest must be rehomed.

Wiltshire Council is asking residents to:

• Report any stray dogs to the Dog Warden Team on 0300 456 0107 (available 24 hours).
• Report suspicious activity to the Police, such as groups of people with dogs on farmland, especially if vehicles are parked in remote areas or gates appear tampered with.
• Respect private land and stick to public rights of way. Trespassing not only damages crops and property but can escalate tensions in rural communities.

Cllr Paul Sample, JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, said, “I am very concerned to hear about the increase in stray lurcher-type dogs in Wiltshire. Our officers suspect that these are being used for hare coursing. We are working closely with kennels and Wiltshire Police to tackle the problem.

“This is a rural crime and animal welfare issue. Dogs are being dumped, injured and left to fend for themselves. I want to be clear; animal crime is not welcome in our County.

“I’m calling on all residents to report hare coursing by calling 999 immediately they see it happening. Stray dogs should also be reported straight away. Please flag any suspicious activity – especially on farmland. Let’s all work to protect vulnerable animals, support our farmers and help keep the countryside safer animals too.”

T/Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, from the Rural Crime Team at Wiltshire Police said: “The cost of poaching and hare coursing in the rural communities is high, ranging from financial to the fear of crime for repeat victims.

“We are committed to targeting those who engage in this illegal activity across our county – earlier this month we arrested four people, following reports of Hare Coursing in a field at Burbage, on suspicion of going equipped and offences under the Hunting Act 2004.

“We would urge the public to help us by reporting any concerning or suspicious activity in relation to hare coursing, such as the presence of 4×4 vehicles driving fast over open land, the presence of lurcher-type dogs, flashing lights from lamps, or congregations of groups in open farmland. Please report this by calling 999. We wish to make the county of Wiltshire a hostile environment for those who undertake this activity and will use all available resources to locate, arrest and prosecute all involved.”

Support is also available for farmers who are affected by trespassing or suspected hare coursing. Farmers are advised to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers. They can also use signage to clearly mark private land and public footpaths, and work with local rural crime teams to improve surveillance and deterrents.

For more information or to report a stray, visit Dog Wardens – Strays and lost dogs – Wiltshire Council