Men who used dogs to chase and kill wild hares are caught after members of public film their crimes
Steven McDonald and Richard Hanratty pleaded guilty to wildlife offences and were sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Wednesday 26 April 2023 13:30, UK
Two men who used their dogs to hunt and kill wild hares were snared after concerned members of the public filmed their criminal antics.
Steven McDonald, 38, and Richard Hanratty, 29, have both been banned from keeping dogs after they found themselves in the dock for the illegal blood sport.
The pair pleaded guilty to wildlife offences at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
The court heard that McDonald was spotted in August 2019 allowing two dogs to chase down and kill a hare in Mosstown Field in Udny.
The hare's body was recovered by police and a gamekeeper shortly after McDonald was arrested leaving the area.
In February 2020, McDonald was also filmed hare coursing at Ardconnon Farm in Oldmeldrum.
In a separate incident a few days later, Hanratty was captured hare coursing at Milton-croft, Dumbreck.
At their sentencing on Monday, McDonald, of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, was banned from keeping dogs for eight years.
He was also placed under supervision and handed a four-month restriction of liberty order and told he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Hanratty, of Bridge of Don in Aberdeen, was banned from keeping dogs for three years and ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work.
The court also granted the prosecutor's motion for the forfeiture of dog collars from both men.
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Fiona Caldwell, wildlife and environmental crime lead 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."