Page:Hunting Act 2004 (UKPGA 2004-37 qp).pdf/4

2 Part 1—Offences 4 Hunting: defence

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.

5 Hare coursing

(1) A person commits an offence if he—
 * (a) participates in a hare coursing event,
 * (b) attends a hare coursing event,
 * (c) knowingly facilitates a hare coursing event, or
 * (d) permits land which belongs to him to be used for the purposes of a hare coursing event.

(2) Each of the following persons commits an offence if a dog participates in a hare coursing event—
 * (a) any person who enters the dog for the event,
 * (b) any person who permits the dog to be entered, and
 * (c) any 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.

6 Penalty

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.

7 Arrest

A constable without a warrant may arrest a person whom he reasonably suspects—
 * (a) to have committed an offence under section 1 or 5(1)(a), (b) or (2),
 * (b) to be committing an offence under any of those provisions, or
 * (c) to be about to commit an offence under any of those provisions.

8 Search and seizure

(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.