Three men sentenced after hare coursing dog had to be put down
They ran a dog with horrific injuries in Lincolnshire
Three men have been sentenced over a hare coursing incident in Lincolnshire where a dog was ran with horrific injuries and had to be put down.
Shane Hooton, John Langan and Thomas Jaffray received suspended prison terms after the hare coursing match.
Hooton has also been banned from keeping dogs for ten years.
The court heard how the men travelled more than two hours to Lincolnshire with three dogs.
Officers arrested them and seized the dogs after being seen on land at Waddingham near to the A15.
Injuries to one dog were so severe that she had to be put down.
Detective Constable Aaron Flint said Hooton already knew the dog was injured before this hare coursing match, “The owner, Shane Hooton, had known of the dog’s injuries for six days.
"He appears to have stitched and glued the injury himself; there is evidence he even talked about stapling it.
"By taking the dog hare coursing the defendants caused horrendous and completely unnecessary suffering to a dog; they should have sought immediate veterinary care."
A graphic video was found on a phone showing the severity of the dog’s de-gloved chin.
The dog was seen to be crying as someone pulled her lips.
Further photos and videos were found that related to hare coursing.
The sentences
33-year-old Shane Hooton, from Knaresborough, pleaded guilty to:
- causing unnecessary suffering to a dog
- trespassing with intent to search for or to pursue hares
- breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order
He was handed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years; a 15-year Criminal Behaviour Order; and is disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years. He must also complete 180 hours unpaid work.
39-year-old John Langan, from Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to:
- trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs
- breach a Criminal Behaviour Order
He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 180 hours community work.
42-year-old Thomas Jaffray, also from Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to:
- trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs.
He was sentenced to an 18-month community order and must complete 150 hours unpaid work.
All the men also have to pay surcharges, CPS costs and kennelling and care costs.