Hare coursing threats to farmers

Greyhounds and lurchers are chosen for their speed

Wildlife police in Scotland have been cracking down on the illegal activity of hare coursing.

BBC Scotland's Landward programme has spent time with Grampian Police wildlife officers tracking the gangs behind the blood sport.

Tayside Police said it has had more than 40 complaints since last September. The force described these as just the "tip of the iceberg".

Hare coursing was banned by the Scottish Parliament in February 2002.

The activity involves chasing and catching hares with dogs.

Some farmers who have approached gangs participating in hare coursing claim they have been threatened with having farm buildings burned or their animals released onto the roads.

Courts can impose fines of up to £5,000, imprison offenders for a maximum of six months, or both.

Suspicious activity

Coursing usually takes place on farms and estates between September and June, when the absence of crops means hares are more easily spotted.

Up to six people and dogs can be involved at a time and many of those involved in hare coursing have criminal backgrounds.

PC Dave McKinnon, Grampian Police's wildlife crime officer, said: "People do regard this as a crime and particularly people living in landward areas do not like to see this activity.

"They are well aware of what it is and they want to discourage people coming out and illegally coursing hares on their land."

Tayside Police have encouraged those who live in rural areas to report any suspicious activity immediately.

Alan Stewart, the force's wildlife crime officer said the number of hare coursing incidents had dropped from last year as a result of the increased effort of the force.

"It is important for farmers and game keepers and landowners to continue to report incidents even if the hare is not caught.

"Even if there are people on the land looking for hares, it is still a criminal offence."

To find out more, watch Landward on BBC Two Scotland at 1900 BST on Friday, 8 June or listen to Out of Doors on BBC Radio Scotland at 0705 BST on Saturday, 9 May.