Four men suspected of nearly 60 hare coursing offences between them have been banned from entering any farm land in Cambridgeshire between July 31 and March 31 for the next three years.
All four are bound by an injunction handed down by a county court judge in a successful case brought by Cambridgeshire police.
Denny Loveridge, James Crickmore, John Jefford and Mark Loveridge were caught by police using a new database designed to track and convict suspected hare coursers.
The injunctions will mean the men cannot enter any farm land in Cambridgeshire during the months of the hare coursing season.
A police spokesman said: “The judge was satisfied that he had heard evidence showing the men had been involved in hare coursing over a two year period and therefore handed the men injunctions.”
PC Gareth Tanner said: “This is an excellent result for the rural community and one of the first of its kind. I’m confident that the conditions granted will be effective.
“This has been a considerable piece of work, both due to the complexity of the tactics used, and the amount of evidence presented at court because of the sheer persistence of these individuals.
“Hare coursing costs the farming community thousands every year in damages to crops and land, as well as the obvious cruelty issues.”
Mark Loveridge, 38, of Milton Place, Horton, Slough, was suspected of 13 hare coursing incidents. He must not own a sighthound or drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle during hare coursing season.
John Jefford, 42, of Scotland Road, Cambridge, was suspected of 13 hare coursing incidents. He must not own a sighthound or be in the company of another person with one.
Denny Loveridge, 38, of Mill Place Caravan Park, Datchet, Slough was suspected of 17 incidents. He must not own a sighthound or drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle during hare coursing season.
James Crickmore, 38, of Fen Road, Cambridge was suspected of 26 incidents. He must not own a sighthound or be in the company of another person with one.
The injunctions are in place for three years.
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