Hare Coursing

Steve · Master

Hare Coursing

Valerie · Guru

I don't like seeing this going on, and it's awful if it's on the increase. Hares are beautiful creatures. I'm always really on guard when out for a walk and you get the guy in the camo gear saying - "I bet he's fast" and such like. I shiver when they look at my dog and just think what a great dog for killing things. furious

Calatria · Master

I don't understand the mentality of anyone who could take pleasure in this kind of thing. They certainly can't be animal lovers, if seeing a helpless creature chased then torn to pieces is their idea of fun.

It also reflects badly on greyhounds - in some peoples minds they're forever connected with the thick-necked neanderthals who take part in hare coursing. All the good publicity about greys gets forgotten when this kind of ugliness rears its head. cry

Amber · Master

TBH the sport itself is an ancient sport - rules for hare coursing were first drawn up in Elizabethan times I believe and it was the sport of the nobility. Points are scored for how the greyhound 'courses' the hare, i.e. how many times the dogs make it change direction, not for catching and killing the hare. The hare is the true quarry of the British greyhound and coursing hares was traditionally what they were bred for. But now it seems to be mostly underground, dubious really rough people that go in for it (a bit like greyhound racing!).

My main objection to hare coursing is the treatment (or mistreatment and discarding of) the dogs involved. And obviously now the fact that it is illegal. Hunting rabbits with dogs is not illegal though. So what happens if someone is out rabbiting and the dog accidentally catches a hare? Or if one of us is out walking our greyhound and the dog accidentally catches a hare...in fact, this happened to me for the first time last week! But I certainly didn't go for a walk with the intention of hunting, but Oscar who was off lead pounced on a young hare and killed it. It would not be impossible for a greyhound to catch a hare hiding in undergrowth etc. if it was on a lead either....I know someone whose dog has killed several rabbits whilst on lead.

I wonder with this report if anyone innocently walking their sighthounds in fields and country areas could come under suspicion?? I mean how would anyone prove that someone was or was not taking their dog out with the intention of hare coursing, unless they have a load of dead hares and other kit stashed in their car...?

-- Edited by Amber at 22:10, 2007-06-10

Valerie · Guru

I would feel the same no matter what creature Biscuit killed by accident, just because I'm a general animal lover. He nearly caught a squirrel last week, and only by good fortune, a scuffle ensued around my feet, and I grabbed his collar, and the squirrel made his escape.

I am worried if he kills something, due to a high prey drive, he will be a bit blood crazy, and think every outing is for killing something. He is 2 years old now, and goes off lead regularly, and last week was the nearest scrape we've had so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed we avoid a kill - ever.

I honestly think there is a big difference in behaviour between me out walking with a lurcher and the "types" I've seen around here hunting rabbit - it's quite obvious what they are up to and look very furtive if you look their way across a field.
There's more reports about lurchers etc being used to hunt urban deer etc., and again I agree with Calatria, it does not enhance the reputation of lurchers and greys - making folk think they are vicious dogs.

I simply don't understand the mentality either. I think the history of lurchers and greys is fascinating, but like a lot of practices, I feel it should remain history.

feldandjack · Guru

Cara is off the lead every day, we walk round acres of fields and she chases hare and rabbit every day. She has no kill instinct and when confronted by a rabbit that doesn't run away (mixy) she is very reluctant to harm it. It's the chase she loves, she is not food driven in the slightest and wouldn't eat a rabbit even if you cooked it for her (I have tried her with cooked rabbit, she left the kitchen without even getting close to it) I enjoy our walks and often think that although she is a complete failure as a hunting dog, she is wonderful to watch, because she is in her element running free. I do not think of myself as an evil person because there is something very natural in her actions, she is doing what dogs love doing.
I feel VERY lucky that she is not a killer, I wish someone could take the killer portion out of all hounds pea sized brains, it would make their lives and ours much easier.
Sorry if I'm rambling on. I know just the people you are talking about, and have to agree that it's their cruel treatment and disregard for the dogs that gets me. They could not enjoy the sight of Cara in full flight, because there is no blood or killing involved, they would insist on using two or more dogs to ensure a kill. They are breaking the law and they know they are. furious