Gardaí are urging people who uncover illegal hare hunting in Clare to report it immediately.
An Garda Síochána and the National Parks and Wildlife Service recently carried out a joint operation in the county, during which a number of patrols and checkpoints were conducted along the coast.
It follows a number of reports of persons trespassing across lands with dogs to illegally hunt hares.
Clare’s Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Triona Brooks says “These dogs have caused distress to cattle who are in calf at this time of year and alarm to landowners and members of the public. It is illegal to hunt hares in Ireland without a license from the NPWS.
“A number of successful prosecutions have been taken nationally for breaches of the Wildlife Acts in respect of illegal hare lurching.
We are advising anyone who sees people engaging in this activity not to approach or confront the person instead contact your local Garda Station immediately”, she concluded.
