A NUMBER of dead hares were dumped at a petrol station in Verwood. They were found on Wednesday, May 19 and police say they are trying to track down a black Subaru estate vehicle believed to have been involved in the incident. Officers believe this incident could be linked to a spate of criminal damage caused by off-road driving believed to relate to hare coursing in the north of the county. Dorset Police say a number of incidents have happened in the Tarrant Valley area around the A354, involving offenders entering fields at night and driving on farm land - causing damage to crops on the night of May 19 and criminal damage to gates and crops between 12pm on May 21 and 8am on May 22.
Police have ramped up patrols and are urging landowners to consider stepping up their security measures. Officers have identified a black Subaru estate they believe was linked to a number of dead hares found dumped at a petrol station in Verwood. It is thought this incident could be linked to activity on farm land in the Tarrant Valley area. Dorset Police said a number of incidents have occurred around the A354, generally involving offenders entering at night and driving on private land. The force said this has caused significant damage to crops, including on the night of Wednesday, May 19, and between 12pm on Friday, May 21, and 8am on Saturday May 22.