Rayleigh London Road dumped hares: RSPCA investigation

The nine animals were found at the side of a small new road just off London Road.

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after the horrific discovery. 

Inspector Keith Hogben is appealing for information on what may have happened and believes it may involve illegal hare coursing – in which dogs are set on the defenceless hares.

He said: “It is really sad what has happened to these hares, and I fear they could be the victims of coursing in the area.

“We would urge anyone with any information about what happened to these poor animals to contact our inspectorate appeal line.

“We would very much like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area.”

It comes as Essex Police’s rural engagement officers have reminded would-be hare coursers and poachers that they are not welcome in Essex.

According to the force, incidents of hare coursing in the region dropped by half in the year to 31 March 2023.

In total 180 incidents were recorded, compared with 363 for the previous 12 months, a drop of 183 or 50.4 per cent.

Last year, officers started working more closely with National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopters and used drones to improve their ability to spot hare coursers in action and then track the suspects and direct officers on the ground to locate and arrest them.

Mr Hogben believes the hares were left there at some point overnight on September 20 into September 21.

Danielle Belton, chairman of Rayleigh Town Council, said: “It’s shocking, horrible and very sad.

“This is not something we want happening in Rayleigh, and I hope residents would support the authorities if they had any information to help with the investigation.”

Mr Hogben said hare coursing is “horrific and the RSPCA firmly believes that the cruel practice of chasing and killing live animals with dogs is barbaric and outdated pastime and has no place in modern Britain”.

If you have information, call: 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01156892.