JOHN LANGAN AND THOMAS MCDONALD CAUGHT HARE COURTING IN GREAT AYTON AND SELBY

On the afternoon of Saturday, January 23, 2021, a vigilant member of the public in the area near Chapel Haddlesey, close to Selby, noticed suspicious activity involving individuals chasing hares with dogs in a field. Recognizing the potential illegal nature of the activity, the witness promptly contacted the police to report the incident.

Responding swiftly, officers from North Yorkshire Police arrived at the scene and observed two suspects attempting to flee the area in a Honda CR-V. During their escape, the suspects drove through a red traffic light, which prompted the officers to pursue them. The police managed to intercept the vehicle in South Milford, where both individuals were detained. The police seized the suspects' dog and the vehicle as part of their investigation.

In court proceedings, Thomas McDonald, who has a history of drug-related offenses, and John Alan Langan, a known repeat offender with numerous similar convictions, both admitted to hunting wild mammals using dogs. Additionally, Thomas McDonald acknowledged an offense for failing to obey a road traffic sign, specifically the red light he and his accomplice had driven through.

The court sentenced Thomas McDonald to a fine totaling £239 for the illegal hunting activity, along with an additional £100 fine and three penalty points for the traffic violation. John Langan received a fine of £239 for the same hunting offense. Furthermore, a forfeiture order was issued for the seized dog, and Langan was disqualified from owning, keeping, or controlling any dog for a period of five years.

The incident is part of a broader pattern of illegal hare coursing activities linked to John Langan, who has a long history of such offenses. In February 2018, Langan was convicted of hare coursing alongside Tommy Jaffray from Thorntree, East Middlesbrough. Jaffray is currently serving a 13-year prison sentence for drug dealing as part of an organized crime gang.

Prior to that, in September 2017, Lincolnshire Police observed Langan and Jaffray engaged in hare coursing. Court records reveal that Langan had previously been subject to an antisocial behavior order (ASBO) for similar offenses. His criminal record dates back to March 2010, when he was arrested in Bridlington and charged with hunting wild mammals with dogs. Between 2005 and 2010, Langan was involved in numerous incidents of poaching and hare coursing, which led to a three-year ASBO. Despite this, he was caught again in the act and fined at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court.

During these incidents, two lurcher dogs named Lucky and Spencer were seized by authorities and later rehomed. Both Langan and Jaffray faced fines of £120, were ordered to pay £300 in costs, and were charged an additional £30. They also received driving bans and criminal behavior orders (CBOs).

Chief Superintendent Mark Housley of Lincolnshire Police expressed his satisfaction with the recent convictions, emphasizing the importance of seizing dogs involved in hare coursing to deter future offenses. He highlighted the severe impact such activities have on local farmers and their families, describing the situation as “soul destroying.” Housley also recounted a recent case where officers found a dog left to die in a field after being struck on the head by hare coursers attempting to escape police. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to combating this cruel activity and ensuring animals are placed in caring homes, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to eradicate illegal hare coursing in the region.