Criminal Behaviour Orders issued after wild animals targeted

Three men have been convicted of hunting a wild mammal with a dog and trespassing in search of game in Arnold in the East Riding of Yorkshire last year. 

Michael Berry (51) of Avon Court, Saltburn-by-the-sea, Callum Raw (31) of Fenton Court, Boosbeck and Jamie Dewing (33) of Wharton Place, Boosbeck all appeared at Beverley Magistrates Court on the 18th July.

Berry was fined £300, ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge. Raw was fine £900, ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £90 victim surcharge. Dewing was fined £200, ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Berry and Raw were also issued three-year criminal behaviour orders. Under the terms of the order both are prohibited from:

– Entering Humberside Police’s Force Area,
– Entering any private farmland in England or Wales with a sighthound or lurcher type dog,
– Be in company with someone with a sighthound or lurcher without written permission from the landowner,
– Allowing a sighthound or lurcher to stray onto private farmland from any public footpath or highway,
– Causing harassment, alarm or distress to any person in England or Wales.

Anyone that sees them in breach of any of the terms of these orders is asked to get in contact with the police by calling 101 or 999 if there is an emergency or crime in action. 

On Sunday 31st October 2021 officers from the Rural Task Force located the offenders on private farmland with lurcher type dogs, after they received a report from a member of the public of suspicious behaviour in the area. 

Following the convictions, PC Fussey of the Rural Task Force said: “These convictions demonstrate that rural crime, in particular hare coursing, is a priority for the force and we will continue to work hard to bring offenders to justice.

“Following a 42% reduction in hare coursing logs over the last 12 months, this conviction further supports the work of the Rural Task Force to further prevent instances of hunting.

“I would like to pay thanks to the members of the public who had the courage to report this incident and to the local farm watch members who continue to provide a vital support to both the rural communities and the Rural Task Force. We will continue to work side by side with them to fight against wildlife crime and animal cruelty.

“The three-year criminal behaviour orders issued to Raw and Berry will now restrict their abilities to continue their offending anywhere in England and Wales and will offer safety and protection both for the farming community and the brown hare populations.”

“The Criminal Behaviour Orders are the next step in us as a force taking whatever action is required to prevent hare coursing in our region.”

If you have any information about rural crime please call the non-emergency 101 line or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  In an emergency or if there is a crime ongoing always dial 999.