On Sunday 9th February 2020, police were contacted by a member of the public to report four males with four dogs hare coursing in fields close to Bolton.
Local officers made their way to the area immediately where they traced two males and two dogs at a maroon coloured 4 x 4 vehicle and a further two males with two dogs within a nearby field.
The officers secured the males at the vehicle and all four dogs, however, the males within the field made off from them. Despite assistance from a police dog handler, these two males were not traced. However, the first two males were arrested and after enquiries were made with further witnesses, they were both charged with offences against The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.
The vehicle was also seized as it was not covered by a valid insurance policy and a report will now be sent to the Procurator Fiscal. Local officers would like to thank the members of the public involved in this incident and for their quick call to report the matter, which allowed officers to attend in the area timeously.
Message Sent By
Lynn Black (Police, Constable, Lothian and Scottish Borders)