| Jurisdiction | UK Non-devolved |
| Citation | 2004 c. 37 |
A person commits an offence if he hunts a wild mammal with a dog, unless his hunting is exempt.(1) Hunting is exempt if it is within a class specified in Schedule 1.(2) The Secretary of State may by order amend Schedule 1 so as to vary a class of exempt hunting.(1) A person commits an offence if he knowingly permits land which belongs to him to be entered or used in the course of the commission of an offence under section 1.(2) A person commits an offence if he knowingly permits a dog which belongs to him to be used in the course of the commission of an offence under section 1.It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under section 1 in respect of hunting to show that he reasonably believed that the hunting was exempt.participates in a hare coursing event,attends a hare coursing event,knowingly facilitates a hare coursing event, orpermits land which belongs to him to be used for the purposes of a hare coursing event.any person who enters the dog for the event,any person who permits the dog to be entered, andany person who controls or handles the dog in the course of or for the purposes of the event.(3) A “hare coursing event” is a competition in which dogs are, by the use of live hares, assessed as to skill in hunting hares.A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1) This section applies where a constable reasonably suspects that a person (“the suspect”) is committing or has committed an offence under Part 1 of this Act.(2) If the constable reasonably believes that evidence of the offence is likely to be found on the suspect, the constable may stop the suspect and search him.(3) If the constable reasonably believes that evidence of the offence is likely to be found on or in a vehicle, animal or other thing of which the suspect appears to be in possession or control, the constable may stop and search the vehicle, animal or other thing.it may be used as evidence in criminal proceedings for an offence under Part 1 of this Act, orit may be made the subject of an order under section 9.land;premises other than a dwelling;a vehicle.(6) The exercise of a power under this section does not require a warrant.was used in the commission of the offence, orwas in the possession of the person convicted at the time of his arrest.(2) A court which convicts a person of an offence under Part 1 of this Act may order the forfeiture of any vehicle which was used in the commission of the offence.hunting a wild mammal, orhare coursing.may include such provision about the treatment of the dog, vehicle or article forfeited as the court thinks appropriate, andsubject to provision made under paragraph (a) , shall be treated as requiring any person who is in possession of the dog, vehicle or article to surrender it to a constable as soon as is reasonably practicable.
