PART 2Prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime
CHAPTER 4Other provisions
Offences relating to hares etc
63Trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs etc
(1)
A person commits an offence if they trespass on land with the intention of—
(a)
using a dog to search for or to pursue a hare,
(b)
facilitating or encouraging the use of a dog to search for or to pursue a hare, or
(c)
enabling another person to observe the use of a dog to search for or to pursue a hare.
(2)
It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (1) to prove that they had a reasonable excuse for the trespass mentioned in that subsection.
(3)
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks, to a fine or to both.
(4)
In relation to an offence committed before the coming into force of section 281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 (alteration of penalties for certain summary offences: England and Wales), the reference in subsection (3) to 51 weeks is to be read as a reference to 6 months.