Warning to walkers over rise in deer coursing

[Guest Uk_Hunter]

has any of you read this?

 

 

 

POLICE are warning walkers to avoid any gangs with dogs that they come across in the countryside following an increase of illegal deer coursing throughout Scotland.

 

In the underground, mostly night-time activity, a large light is used to dazzle roe deer before lurchers are set on them. Deer have been found recently with horrific injuries, from Perthshire to the Borders. A doe that lost a leg in an attack was found trying to care for its young in East Lothian.

 

 

 

Wildlife liaison officers say the dogs are often unable to kill the deer, leaving them to die painful deaths.

 

Police officers across Scotland are now asking people to steer clear of coursing gangs following incidents where gang members brandished knives after being approached.

 

Gavin Ross, wildlife crime officer for Lothian and Borders Police, said he was concerned by the soaring reports of deer coursing in his area.

 

"This is the new hare coursing and as a result we have seen our deer numbers go down dramatically. I have had reports from landowners and gamekeepers in South Queensferry, Balerno and East Lothian, with many saying the men seem to come from the west coast, although they can be local as well.

 

"Lurchers are not very strong dogs but they can run very fast and they have a bite on them so they inflict horrendous injuries on the deer.

 

"It is a barbaric activity and if any members of the public see anyone acting suspiciously with lurchers and, for example, carrying lamps then immediately call the police. This activity is against the law so these people will go to some extent to evade being caught so people should observe and note down registration plates rather than approach them."

 

Under the Mammals Scotland Act 2002 and the (Deer) Scotland Act 1996 it is prohibited to hunt a wild mammal with dogs. Anyone caught deer coursing faces a jail sentence.

 

Alan Stewart, Tayside Police’s wildlife and environment officer, said some deer coursing groups were operating in the daytime.

 

He said: "It seems to be picking up now with dozens of incidents occurring in Tayside including Comrie, Crieff, Muthill and even Angus in the daytime."

 

Duncan Monteith, Pentland Hills senior ranger, said a shepherd found a badly mauled deer at Boghall this month.

 

"The deer, which had to be destroyed because of its injuries, had flesh wounds on its back, ear and neck," Mr Monteith said. "These dogs will also take prey other than the target prey so we are losing rare blue hares which live in the Pentland Hills." He said coursers "often wear combat jackets and have lurchers in the back of their cars".

[mistwalker 0]

has any of you read this?

 

 

"The deer, which had to be destroyed because of its injuries, had flesh wounds on its back, ear and neck,"

 

Could be big cats? :whistle: :ph34r: