Illegal hare coursing events, a bloodsport involving dogs chasing and killing wild hares, have seen a tenfold increase in recent years, largely driven by organized crime gangs. These groups are reportedly using social media platforms like Facebook to organize illegal meets, sell dogs for substantial amounts, and facilitate black market betting.
One Facebook group, 'East Midlands Hare Coursing,' hosted for over a decade before its removal, featured advertisements for dogs and included photos of dead hares. Despite hare coursing being banned in the UK under the 2005 Hunting Act, participants openly discuss the illegal nature of the activity and how to gain access to farmland without permission. Some users recommend targeting unsuspecting farmers for "more excitement."
Organized crime is deeply involved, with gangs invading farms, intimidating landowners, and often armed with weapons. The events can offer prizes of up to £50,000, with the dogs themselves fetching prices over £10,000. A second Facebook group, claiming to be based in Ireland where hare coursing is legal, also contained advertisements for dogs owned by individuals in the UK. One post highlighted a dog named Bruce, described as having killed "hundreds" of animals.
Police have recorded 9,000 reports of hare coursing in the last three years. The violence and intimidation tactics associated with these events have had a disturbing impact on local communities. In one instance, children discovered dozens of hare and rabbit carcasses, along with the remains of a deer, dumped outside their school. In another, 50 dead hares, a barn owl, and a kestrel were left tied to the door handle of a village shop.
Cambridgeshire Police investigated an event last year involving over 70 people who used angle grinders to cut through iron gates on a farm. Participants then unleashed dogs to hunt hares while gambling on the outcomes. The event lasted for approximately three hours, and the criminals left behind vehicles, one of which was burnt out. Following this incident, police arrested over 40 people, with 25 charged and several convicted.
During a search related to these activities, authorities discovered the "Super 8 Cup," a trophy awarded to winning owners at hare coursing events. Videos have emerged showing men discussing and selling the championship title for tens of thousands of pounds. Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit stated that some individuals involved are making significant sums of money and are among the country's best-organized criminals, describing them as "like a small army." His team has identified 27 key offenders, most of whom have links to organized crime.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the groups brought to their attention have been removed for violating their policies.