A BBC investigation has uncovered a clandestine world of illegal hare coursing, characterized by organized gangs, violence, and the disturbing dumping of animal carcasses in rural villages. The practice, an ancient sport where dogs hunt hares for points based on the chase and kill, was banned in the UK in 2005 but has since gone underground.

The investigation was prompted by the discovery of numerous dead animals, primarily hares and rabbits, mysteriously dumped in two Hampshire villages in early 2024. In Awbridge, over 20 carcasses, including a muntjac deer with its head severed, were found outside a primary school, causing distress to young children. Nearby, in Broughton, approximately 50 hares were scattered near a community shop, with blood smeared on its doors and dead birds of prey tied to the handles.

Mathew Latta, a farmer in Cambridgeshire, described a terrifying incident where a convoy of over a dozen 4x4 vehicles, their occupants dressed in military fatigues and balaclavas, cut through his farm gates. More than 70 people emerged, with dogs unleashed to hunt hares while others watched and bet on the proceedings. Latta and his family were trapped inside their home for over three hours, unable to get police assistance, while their crops were damaged and their property overrun.

This modern reality of hare coursing involves highly organized events, often conducted at night. Participants compete with valuable hunting dogs, with points awarded for the dogs' ability to make hares twist and turn, and for the eventual kill. The investigation suggests the existence of trophies, significant cash prizes, and even international gambling associated with these illegal events.

Hare coursing, which reached its peak popularity in the 19th century, involves using dogs like greyhounds or lurchers to hunt hares, typically by scaring them from the wild. The sport's return to prominence in the underworld is fueled by organized groups who operate with a degree of impunity, as evidenced by the farmer's experience where police intervention was delayed.

The perpetrators often leave behind evidence of their activities, including abandoned vehicles, as seen at Latta's farm where one vehicle was found burnt out. The deliberate dumping of carcasses in public village locations highlights a disturbing disregard for the community and potentially serves as a message or display of dominance by these groups.

Experts indicate that the secrecy surrounding these events, coupled with the potential for substantial financial gain through betting, contributes to their continued operation. The involvement of organized gangs suggests a level of sophistication and coordination that makes them difficult for law enforcement to dismantle.

Authorities face challenges in tackling this illegal activity due to its covert nature, the remote locations often used, and the potential for intimidation and violence directed at those who attempt to intervene or report it. The investigation raises questions about the extent of these networks and the effectiveness of current measures to combat illegal bloodsports.