Legal first as hunting dog DNA convicts coursing trio
A MAN has become the first in Scotland to be jailed using DNA evidence taken from a hunting dog.
Colin Stewart was sentenced to 135 days in jail after he was caught using dogs to hunt hares
Colin Stewart was given a four-and-a-half-month sentence after he and two others were caught using dogs to hunt hares near Kirriemuir, Angus, in March.
Forfar Sheriff Court heard Stewart, his friend Raymond Higgins and a youth, all from Aberdeen, were reported to police on March 27 by a number of people.
Police found the three dogs they were using and took swabs for DNA analysis. Saliva from one dog was found on a dead hare.
Police found the three dogs they were using and took swabs for DNA analysis
Hare coursing is a particularly violent crime
Procurator fiscal depute Fiona Caldwell said Stewart took hares with dogs at locations across Scotland, including on the Isle of Tiree, over a five-month period.
Police examined a video camera that was found in their van at Ladywell Farm on the outskirts of Kirriemuir and found footage of the hunting.
Stewart, 31, Higgins, 45, and a 16-year-old boy admitted hare coursing charges.
Sheriff Pino di Emidio jailed Stewart for 135 days. The teenager was given a community payback order with one year's supervision. Both were banned from having custody of any dog for a year. Higgins was fined £400.
Police Scotland are committed to tackling wildlife crime
Following the case, Detective Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, of Police Scotland's Specialist Crime Division, said: "We are committed to tackling wildlife crime and our detection rates are increasing. Investigating wildlife crime can be difficult because of the nature of the crimes and the terrain.
"Hare coursing, where dogs chase the animal, is a particularly violent crime. Public awareness is crucial in helping us tackle crimes like poaching and hare coursing."
The case follows a crackdown on wildlife crime that in March saw Mark Reid, 45, from Dundee, jailed for four months and banned from keeping dogs after he was found guilty of hare coursing at Tibbermore, Perthshire.