Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (Northern Ireland) 2011

Hare coursingN.I.

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

38—(1) A person commits an offence if he—

(a)participates in a hare coursing event,

(b)attends a hare coursing event,

(c)knowingly facilitates a hare coursing event,

(d)permits land which belongs to him to be used for the purposes of a hare coursing event,

(e)nets hares for the purpose of a hare coursing event,

(f)transports hares for the purpose of a hare coursing event, or

(g)holds hares for the purpose of a hare coursing event.

(2) Each of the following persons commits an offence if a dog participates in a hare coursing event—

(a)any person who enters the dog for the event,

(b)any person who permits the dog to be entered, and

(c)any person who controls or handles the dog in the course of or for the purposes of the event.

(3) A “hare coursing event” is a competition in which dogs are, by the use of live hares, assessed as to skill in hunting hares.

(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.