March 9, 2022 6.00 am This story is over 24 months old

Farm worker rescues dog left for dead by cruel hare coursers

One of 20 incidents in past year

Nyah, a lurcher, collapsed through exhaustion having been left for dead at Nuddock Wood Lakes near Scunthorpe by illegal hare coursers. | Photo: RSPCA

A dog left for dead by hare coursers is now thriving after being rescued – and she’s hoping to find a new home.

Nyah, who is around four years old, collapsed through exhaustion while under the control of a group of men who were allegedly pursuing the illegal blood sport at Ruddock Wood Lakes near Scunthorpe.

Richard Anderson, a local farm worker who observed the incident, picked up desperate Nyah from a ditch where she had been abandoned and called the police. He said he has reported 20 of these incidents in the past year.

Nyah, a lurcher, was taken to the RSCPA’s York Harrogate and district branch, where staff named her and put her on a special diet to build her back up to a healthy weight.

Now they are seeking a suitable (and loving!) owner for Nyah, who has a calm and friendly personality, but may need training after the abuse she has endured at the hands of her previous owners.

The RSPCA has said she would not be suited to sharing a home with cats or smaller animals.

Nyah was found exhausted and abandoned in a ditch by a local farm worker. | Photo: RSPCA

Animal welfare supervisor Mandy Broadhead said: “Nyah was exhausted when we got her here and she just sat in her kennel.

“Her temperament with people is great and we have taken her out with a group of other dogs and she has been fine.

“But her prey drive still shows up when she is near other animals and anyone adopting her would have to have her on a lead at all times when outside.”

RSPCA inspector Tom Hutton now cares for Nyah and has launched an investigation into the incident. He said hare coursing in the area of North Lincolnshire in which Nyah was found is a persistent problem.

He said coursing gangs often trespass on land where they typically use greyhound and lurcher dogs to pursue the hare.

Nyah is seeking a new home but is not suited to one with cats or smaller animals. | Photo: RSPCA

“There were anti-poaching barriers in place but they just drove past them into a stubble field. There were two or three men in a vehicle and the member of the public who called us said he managed to take down a registration, but it wasn’t able to be traced,” said inspector Hutton.

“He didn’t approach them and he rang the police as well which is the right thing to do.

“Often if the dogs involved in hare coursing get injured they just leave them behind.”

The government has announced plans this year to strengthen the penalties available to tackle hare coursing, including increasing the maximum fine as well as the possibility of imposing up to six months’ imprisonment for trespass in pursuit of game.

Anyone with information about this incident should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 1234 8018.

You can find out more about adopting Nyah here.