A shocking encounter with a hare hunt
Posted 3rd May 2026
This encounter below is the reason why the government’s consultation on trail hunting is equally as important for hares as it is foxes. This is our chance to stop this from continuing.
On February 22 in 2022 a friend and I were driving through the countryside in Farmington, Gloucestershire. As we drove along the road we were thrilled to see a beautiful hare in the field, it was on alert, but we didn’t realise why until we continued up the road where we were greeted with a scene that filled us with horror. A hare was hurtling towards the road with a pack of baying hounds behind it. Eyes wild, the hare was in complete terror running for its life.
I immediately stopped the car and my friend leapt out shouting: “That’s illegal, stop what you are doing, we are calling the police.” The hare ran across the road into a small woodland, hounds following behind. Our presence seemed to cause chaos and anger within the hunt. Members of the hunt walked around my car and took photos of us. The hounds continued to search for the hare but this time the hare did evade them and made its escape.
The police car and van arrived within 20 minutes of our call. We were able to give them the hunt’s exact location, and they went into the field to speak to them. The hunt’s excuse was unsurprising. They told the police a story, a smokescreen story, that they’d been following a trail and the hounds had deviated from the scent. We’ve heard this story from fox hunts; we know this isn’t true and so do they. If they had been following a trail, why lay it through fields where hares were living and why get so angry when they were caught?
What is hare hunting?
Hares are chased by packs of hounds and once caught are ripped apart. The hunts are mostly beagle packs and basset hound hunts, which primarily hunt on foot.
Is hare hunting illegal?
Yes, hare hunting is illegal and, like fox hunting, the Hunting Act 2004 should have put an end to this barbarity. There are 68 hare hunts operating across England and Wales despite hare hunting being banned.
These hunts use the smokescreen of trail hunting but in the past they have also said:
- They are retrieving a shot hare
- They are hunting rabbits.
Both these excuses are permitted in the Hunting Act and are exemptions that need closing.
The legislation is so weak hares are still being murdered in the countryside.
We are urging the government to strengthen the Hunting Act to prevent hares being hunted, chased, and ripped apart by dogs.
Is hare hunting the same as hare coursing?
No. Hare hunting is different to hare coursing, although the two activities are both widespread and illegal under the Hunting Act 2004.
Hare coursing, however, involves trespass and criminal damage so tends to attract the wrath of landowners and the police, making it significantly more high-profile. Hare coursing also sees sighthounds such as greyhounds and whippets used by the hunters, and often bets are placed on which dog will kill the hare.
How can you help hares
The government’s consultation is our chance to help hares.
By taking part in the government’s consultation on hunting, you can help create a safer world for these beautiful creatures.
Our team have created some guidance to help you fill in the consultation and there are questions that give you the opportunity to talk about hare hunting.
Take part in the consultation to end hunting with hounds for good.
