Hare coursing

Animal offences — practical elements, sentencing links and station notes for accredited reps in England & Wales.

Animal offences

Hare coursing

Hunting Act 2004 / related provisions as charged

England & Wales. Elements, mode of trial, maximum and defences — not a charging or outcome predictor.

Triable: Summary only
Maximum penalty: unlimited fine and/or 6 months’ custody

Actus reus

Hunts a wild mammal with a dog unless the hunting is exempt (Hunting Act 2004, s.1). Hare coursing is usually charged as this, sometimes with later Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act trespass/going-equipped variants — check the sheet.

Mens rea

Hunting with a dog. Exempt hunting is in Schedule 1 — do not invent an exemption.

Defences

Exempt hunting (Sch. 1) · Not hunting a wild mammal · Deny presence / that the dogs were hunting

Sentencing Council

Sentencing Council guideline effective 01 June 2026. Offence range: Band A fine – 6 months’ custody.

View definitive guideline ↗

At the police station

Identify s.1 versus a later PCSC trespass/vehicle offence. Dogs, vehicles and landowner evidence first.

When to involve a rep or solicitor

Police station advice is free under legal aid and is not means-tested.

Authoritative sources for this page

Statute plus Sentencing Council (and CPS where listed) are the two primary sources we used for mode of trial, maximum and elements. Case links are from our verified registry only.

Statute:Hunting Act 2004 / related provisions as charged ↗
Sentencing Council:Sentencing Council definitive guideline ↗

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Sources & further reading

Links are to official publishers (legislation, gov.uk, CPS, LAA, Sentencing Council). Case law on this site is limited to entries in our verified case-law registry. Always confirm the current version before relying on it in live advice.