Two twisted Scots who used their dogs to chase and kill terrified wild hares were snared after eagle-eyed members of the public filmed their sickening antics. Steven McDonald and Richard Hanratty have now been sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after admitting being involved in the illegal blood sport on various occasions between 2019 and 2021.
The sick duo were both banned from keeping dogs and ordered to hand over all their animal collars following a successful motion by court prosecutors on Monday, April 24. McDonald, 38, from Inverurie, who received an eight year animal ban, was also placed under a four-month restriction of liberty order and told to perform 200 hours of unpaid work.
He must stay indoors between 7pm and 7am with an ankle tag monitoring his movements. Co-accused Hanratty, 29, from Bridge of Don, was sentenced to perform 100 hours of unpaid work and banned from keeping dogs for three years.
Welcoming the conviction and sentence, Fiona Caldwell, who leads on wildlife and environmental crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: “I welcome the conviction and sentence of Steven McDonald and Richard Hanratty and the message it should send to anyone involved in hare coursing.
"Hare coursing is a cruel and wholly illegal act. The Crown will continue to work to ensure that anyone who hunts hares with dogs is brought to justice. We would encourage anyone who may have information on hare coursing to contact the police."
The court heard evidence that on August 21, 2019, McDonald had allowed dogs to kill a brown hare in Mosstown Field in Udny, Aberdeenshire. A witness saw two dogs chase down and kill a hare.
The animal's body was recovered from the field by police and the gamekeeper shortly after McDonald was arrested leaving the area. In later incidents McDonald, who was wearing a distinctive blue jacket, was filmed hare coursing at Ardconnon Farm, Oldmeldrum on February 11, 2020.
Hanratty was also captured hare coursing at Milton-croft, Dumbreck on February 16, 2021. Using a dog to chase a hare is cruel and inhumane and was made illegal in Scotland in 2002 by the passing of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act.
Those who participate in hare coursing do not have permission to be on the land. When a hare runs, they will release their dogs to give chase. Once dead, the hare’s body is thrown away.
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