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Trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs

s.63Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022

Trespassing on land intending to use a dog to search for or chase a hare, to help or encourage that, or to let others watch it (hare coursing).

Trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs · Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, s.63Card 195 / 195

Points to prove

Trespassed on land
s.63(1)(a)With the intention of using a dog to search for or to pursue a hare
s.63(1)(b)Or with the intention of facilitating or encouraging the use of a dog to search for or to pursue a hare
s.63(1)(c)Or with the intention of enabling another person to observe the use of a dog to search for or to pursue a hare

Key definitions

Trespass – being on land without the consent of the owner or occupier, or other lawful right.
Intention – the offence is about the purpose of the trespass. No hare needs to be found, chased or killed. Spectators and organisers are covered by s.63(1)(b) and (c), not just dog handlers.

Defences

Reasonable excuse – s.63(2): the defendant proves they had a reasonable excuse for the trespass.

Good to know

In force from 1 August 2022. The Act sets the maximum at 51 weeks, but until s.281(5) of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 comes into force it is read as 6 months (s.63(4)).
Being equipped for hare coursing is a separate offence (s.64). “Article” includes a vehicle and, in most cases, an animal.
On conviction the court can order the offender to pay the costs of kennelling a seized dog (s.65) and disqualify them from owning or keeping dogs (s.66).
Daytime trespass in search or pursuit of game, including hares, remains an offence under s.30 Game Act 1831, with the same maximum since the 2022 Act. Summary only, so the 6-month time limit for charging applies.

Legislation: Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, s.63 (opens legislation.gov.uk in a new tab)
Mode of trial: Summary only
Maximum penalty: 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against the current law on legislation.gov.uk

Trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs: questions people ask

What are the points to prove for trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs?

1. Trespassed on land 2. With the intention of using a dog to search for or to pursue a hare 3. Or with the intention of facilitating or encouraging the use of a dog to search for or to pursue a hare 4. Or with the intention of enabling another person to observe the use of a dog to search for or to pursue a hare

What is the maximum sentence for trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs?

6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine.

Is trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs a summary, either-way or indictable offence?

Trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs is a summary-only offence: it is tried in the magistrates’ court.

What Act and section is trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs?

Trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs is an offence under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, s.63.

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