hunting rabbits /hares with dogs Gower

Hi Everyone

The Local Policing team would like to make you aware that there have been several incidents reported recently relating to persons hunting Rabbits and Hares with lamps and dogs in Gower, commonly known as “LAMPING”.

 We ask that if anyone witnesses any suspicious persons using torchlight and are accompanied by dogs on any land in Gower then please report this to the Police as soon as you can. If possible and without putting yourself at Risk please provide descriptions of persons , how many, any weapons seen, Vehicle registrations and exact locations using What3Words https://locate.what3words.com

Please see the below useful information in relation to the legislation of hunting with dogs .

 Hunting rabbits with dogs is not inherently illegal in the UK, but it is strictly regulated under the Hunting Act 2004 (England and Wales) and the Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023. It is legal only when specific conditions and exemptions are met, primarily focusing on pest control rather than sport.

Here is a breakdown of the legal requirements:

When it is LEGAL

Using dogs to hunt rabbits is permitted if you are:

An authorized person: You are the landowner, occupier, or have express permission from the landowner to be there.

Using minimal dogs: The law generally restricts this to using a small number of dogs (typically two) to flush rabbits out for shooting, or to use a terrier to flush them from below ground.

Preventing damage: The purpose is to prevent or reduce serious damage to crops, woodland, or livestock.

Obtaining food: The activity is used to secure meat.

When it is ILLEGAL

Using dogs to hunt rabbits becomes illegal if:

No permission: You are trespassing or do not have the landowner's permission.

Improper methods: Using a large pack of hounds to chase rabbits (rather than flushing them for a gun).

Animal cruelty: Allowing a dog to cause unnecessary suffering to a rabbit.

Out of season: While rabbits are considered pests, hunting them on certain types of land (like moorlands) out of season can be illegal.

Key Legislation

England and Wales: The Hunting Act 2004 exempts rabbit hunting from the general ban on using dogs to hunt mammals, provided it is done for land management or pest control purposes.

Scotland: The Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act 2023 classifies rabbits as "wild mammals," restricting their hunting with dogs, though exceptions exist for pest control under a licensing scheme.

Note on Hare Coursing: It is important to distinguish rabbit hunting from hare coursing, which is illegal throughout the UK.