Hare coursing is a bloodsport where dogs are used to chase, turn, and catch and kill hares and large amounts of money are gambled on the results. It is illegal in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland (but note that it is still legal in Ireland).

Hare coursers are violent criminals and give no consideration to landowners’ property and crops. They often have a sophisticated information network and they invariably know about vulnerable properties in the area, short cuts, and escape routes.

Hare coursing activity rises in late summer once fields have been harvested (ie when hare numbers are still high and the dogs have wide, unobstructed areas to run across).