Nickolas Chenier, the owner of a hare-coursing dog, becomes the first individual to be sentenced under Scotland’s new Hunting With Dogs Act after his dog attacked a deer in a cemetery in Caithness. Following the incident in March 2024, where witnesses reported the dog chasing and injuring the deer, Chenier was fined £750 and banned from dog ownership for five years by Wick Sheriff Court.
The court found that the deer suffered severe injuries after the attack, and Chenier ended the animal’s suffering with a knife. Officials emphasized the importance of this case, highlighting the serious implications of hare coursing on wildlife and rural communities. Chenier’s conviction underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing this new legislation, which seeks to prevent animal cruelty and protect wildlife.
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