'Owner had known for six days': Dog put to sleep after suffering horrific injuries in hare coursing case
A dog was left with such severe and distressing injuries after being used in an illegal hare coursing match in Lincolnshire that she had to be put to sleep, police have confirmed.
According to Lincolnshire Police, three men travelled more than two hours to the county on February 9 last year to take part in hare coursing, bringing three dogs with them — two white dogs and a black dog.
Officers say the black dog’s injuries were so serious that when police discovered her condition, she was rushed to a vet, where she was humanely destroyed due to the extent of her suffering.
Detective Constable Aaron Flint, Lincolnshire Police’s Wildlife Crime Officer, said officers were confronted with “horrific injuries” when they found the dog.
“The owner had known of the dog’s injuries for six days,” DC Flint said. “Instead of seeking veterinary treatment, evidence showed attempts had been made to stitch and glue the wound.”
Police say the dog was still taken hare coursing despite the injuries, which they described as causing “horrendous and completely unnecessary suffering.”
The men were spotted shortly before 1pm on land near Waddingham, close to the A15, where officers saw one of the dogs actively pursuing a hare. When police arrived, the men ran back towards their silver Vauxhall Vectra, which officers had already blocked in.
All three men were arrested at the scene. Their dogs, vehicle and mobile phones were seized.
During the investigation, officers found graphic video footage on one of the phones filmed several days earlier, showing the extent of the black dog’s injuries. Police said the footage showed the dog crying as her injury was filmed. Due to the distressing nature of the images, they have not been released.
Further evidence recovered from the phones included photos, videos and voice messages relating to hare coursing, including footage of dead hares.
At court, Shane Hooton, 33, of Knaresborough, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, hare coursing offences and breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order. He received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, a 10-year ban on keeping dogs, and a 15-year Criminal Behaviour Order.
John Langan, 39, and Thomas Jaffray, 42, both from Middlesbrough, also pleaded guilty to hare coursing offences, with Langan admitting a breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
All three were sentenced to unpaid work, ordered to pay costs and surcharges, and must each pay £1,733 in kennelling and care costs. The vehicle used was confiscated.
DC Flint said the case showed Lincolnshire Police would continue to act robustly against animal cruelty and wildlife crime.