CONVICTED (2023) | Aberdeenshire hare coursers Richard Hanratty, born 12 December 1993, of 23 Cardens Knowe, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen AB22 8PE, and Steven McDonald, born c. 1984, of Duff Drive, Oldmeldrum Inverurie AB51 0GW – used their dogs to chase and kill terrified wild hares.
The court heard that on 21 August 2019 Oldmeldrum man Steven McDonald had allowed dogs to kill a brown hare in Mosstown Field in Udny, Aberdeenshire. A witness saw two dogs chase down and kill a hare.
The hare’s body was recovered from the field by police and the gamekeeper shortly after McDonald was arrested leaving the area.
In later incidents McDonald, in a distinctive blue jacket, was filmed hare coursing at Ardconnon Farm, Oldmeldrum on 11 February 2020. Hanratty, from Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, was also captured hare coursing at Milton-croft, Dumbreck on 16 February 2021.
The pair admitted being involved in the illegal blood sport on various occasions between 2019 and 2021.
They were both banned from keeping dogs and ordered to hand over all their animal collars.
Sentencing |
McDonald: four-month restriction of liberty order; 200 hours of unpaid work. Eight year animal ban (expires April 2031).
Hanratty: 100 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping dogs for three years (expires April 2026).