Hugh Robertson MP said the aim of this Bill is to “curb the practise of illegal hare-coursing.”

The idea behind the Bill came after a series of complaints from constituents who were angry at the practice and the resultant problems. 

After the concerns were raised, Robertson arranged a follow up meeting, briefed by Kent Police, which revealed the full scale of the problem.

Robertson said he discovered the practice affects “many rural communities across the North Downs and the Weald.”

Robertson said he found hare-coursing involves large groups of people, with dogs, meeting at locations pre-arranged on the internet.

Due to the numbers involved the MP found a large number of hares are killed.

Robertson argues: “These people trespass on the land causing considerable damage – often at night. If anybody asks them to leave, they become aggressive and threatening.”

Gambling often takes place, as well as petty crime and theft, said the MP.

“The police are often powerless to act because the legislation is out of date. The new bill would make illegal hare coursing a particular criminal offence and as the support of the police,” says Robertson.

Summarising the purpose of his Bill, the MP said: “This is a terrific opportunity to stamp out an unpleasant criminal activity. It is causing very considerable anxiety across my constituency, quite apart from the animal welfare issues, and I am determined to ensure that those who carry it out should feel the full force of the law.”