Man sentenced for Hare coursing in Ormskirk on Christmas Day

A Wigan dog owner has been given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) after being sentenced for various offences including hare coursing in Lancashire.

James Kent (pictured) was handed the order at Lancaster Magistrates Court last Tuesday (1st July 2025) which will last for five years and states that he must not trespass on any land in Lancashire in custody of a lurcher type dog. He was also issued with a community order to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and ordered to forfeit the vehicle used during the offence, a Nissan X Trail.

 Kent, 40, of Crankwood Road, Wigan, was found guilty of eight offences: two counts of hunting a wild mammal with dogs, two counts of trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs, two counts of being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs and two counts of daytime trespass in pursuit of game.

An investigation into Kent began after police received reports of hare coursing on the land off Whiteley’s Lane in Ormskirk on Christmas Day and on 26th January, whereby lurcher type dogs were being allowed to kill wild hares.

As a result, Lancashire’s South Rural Task Force, launched an investigation and Kent was subsequently charged with eight offences. 

PC Sean Dalby from the South Rural Task Force said: “Hare coursing and poaching can be extremely distressing for our community. Offenders travel around the country committing cruel acts towards our wildlife and wreaking havoc on our rural communities, trespassing on land, damaging crops and property, and subjecting farmers and landowners to threats of violence and intimidation when challenged.

“Kent has shown absolutely no regard for animals’ rights to live peacefully in the wild. Instead, he allowed his dogs to cruelly maim and kill hares. I hope that this result shows those who commit these types of offences that we have a dedicated team of officers, and we will find you.”