Police in Fife appeal for info on hare coursing

Lindsay Kerr, police wildlife and environmental crime co-ordinator. Pic by Dave Scott

Police in North East Fife are appealing for information following a number of hare coursing incidents in the area.

Members of the public have reported groups of people using lurcher-type dogs searching for and chasing hares in the St Andrews, Kingsbarns and Auchtermuchty areas, between February 9-12.

Hare coursing is a national wildlife crime policing priority. It is illegal to hunt hares using dogs under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

PC Lindsay Kerr, wildlife and environmental crime co-ordinator for Fife, said: “Hare coursing is taken extremely seriously by police – those taking part have no regard for the community and land on which they practise this illegal activity and we will take all necessary steps to investigate and bring offenders before the courts.

“Anyone with information about hare coursing, or who witnesses any suspicious activity on fields or farmland, should call Police Scotland on 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress.”