Dog walk drama, Cecil had his mind blown!

[poiuytrewq]

Just decided to take the 3 boys for a quick run before going back to work. OH said he’d come too which is pretty unheard of but I’m so glad he did.
When I take the 3 I stick to the private farm land as it’s just easier.
Cecil and Spud lab just love to run, little Basil stays a bit closer, it all happened very fast and came from no where but we got caught up with Hare coursers. 7 big lurchers tearing after a hare. Spud seemed not to particularly notice at first which was good as the hare eventually went his way and past him. Cecil thought he’d died and gone to heaven and was running with them (and keeping up)
I was so busy looking at him and wondering what the hell was going on it wasn’t until OH started running and yelling that I realised two were going after poor Basil. He managed to chase them off and Basil ran to me so I picked him up quick.
By this time some men appeared through the hedge and called them off, most went (Cecil included!)
One stayed, poor thing was absolutely knackered)
Cec did come back when I yelled thank god!
If I’d have been alone I think it could have gone quite wrong because I think I’d have panicked a bit and maybe not been as quick to save Basil.
Cecil is seriously full of it and so impressed at having been one of the lads

Police were called and are actually here now talking to OH. We had to call them out Friday night for people lamping and shooting from the road.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Police seem to be taking it seriously, they have gone off in the truck with OH to drive round the farm

 

[AmyMay]

That’s a bit Bloomin scary

 

[Xmasha]

That must have been so scary . I’d have panicked for sure . Hope you boys are ok

Fingers crossed the police catch them .

 

[Smitty]

I know I should take this seriously, but sorry, your description of Cecil is too much . He's so small ....

 

[Cortez]

Cecil will probably be humming "Born to Run" in his head for days, but you're right, that could easily have gone badly wrong. Hope they catch the hare murderers.

 

[Fjord]

That must have been scary, I hope the police catch the b*ggers.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Cec is still buzzing, he’s always wanted to be a gun dog but now plans to be a lurcher when he’s older!

In reality yes it was scary, I wasn’t actually scared for him but the others. Basil getting chased and I was worried the lab being so suddenly swamped by unknown dogs may have got growly and had all of them set on him.
It’s annoying because that’s my “safe route” where I can let them run riot now I feel like I’m going to be a bit on edge, or need to be a bit more aware.

I hope they catch them too but hold out very little hope.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I know I should take this seriously, but sorry, your description of Cecil is too much . He's so small ....

he absolutely makes up for it in personality.

 

[SilverLinings]

That sounds like a rather nail-biting walk I'm glad your dogs were all ok, and I hope the police follow up on it and it doesn't happen again.

 

[poiuytrewq]

That sounds like a rather nail-biting walk I'm glad your dogs were all ok, and I hope the police follow up on it and it doesn't happen again.

I was very impressed how quickly they turned up, I was impressed they actually came out to be honest.

I think it was mentioned on Clarksons farm if anyone watches about Glos rural crimes now driving a little Vauxhall!
It’s true! Hence Mr P having to drive the truck! Seems a bit silly

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

That sounds terrifying. Poor wee Basil! I’m glad you managed to grab him.

 

[Surbie]

Jeez, quick thinking on your OH's part and glad you got Basil away. Poor Cecil having his dreams of lurcherhood dashed so fast. I hope they catch them though, it can be quite nasty.

On my first yard we had people setting dogs on rabbits in the field my horse was in at night. They had lights and guns and the horses were terrified. I just happened to be in the field next door, trying to navigate a less muddy way in to catch my horse. Never caught the people, and the horses then were on daylight turnout only.

 

[some show]

Glad you called the police, they're taking it really seriously these days as they should! Seven lurchers sounds like a pretty big group. Gloucestershire constab have got this video from a farmer's POV from last year, it's scary stuff - https://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/terrified-and-intimidated-the-untold-story-of-hare-coursing/

 

[IveRunOutOfNamesToThinkOf]

How scary! I’m glad Basil made it back safely into your arms. It’s frightening what the prey drive in these dogs can do (not their fault). Not that I approve of killing hares in this way in any form, but if any small animal gets in their way it would be hard to calm them, I’ve heard some terrible stories, I’m glad this isn’t one

As for Cecil I’m thinking he went in like an undercover cop to distract and report on the main group. He deserves an extra tummy rub as his CI payment

 

[Smitty]

Glad you called the police, they're taking it really seriously these days as they should! Seven lurchers sounds like a pretty big group. Gloucestershire constab have got this video from a farmer's POV from last year, it's scary stuff - https://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/terrified-and-intimidated-the-untold-story-of-hare-coursing/

Goodness, just watched the video. I had no idea it is so bad. I don't hear of it in my area, although it must go on. I hope you and Mr P are not involved again and they go elsewhere to satisfy their bloodlust.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I really hope that all is well with Basil, such things can leave mental scars.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I really hope that all is well with Basil, such things can leave mental scars.

Thank you! He’s absolutely fine, he’s a bit of a fairy and would probably have run to me with unknown dogs round anyway for a quick cuddle (and treat!)
I think he was as confused as I was about what on earth was happening.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Glad you called the police, they're taking it really seriously these days as they should! Seven lurchers sounds like a pretty big group. Gloucestershire constab have got this video from a farmer's POV from last year, it's scary stuff - https://www.gloucestershire-pcc.gov.uk/terrified-and-intimidated-the-untold-story-of-hare-coursing/

That’s terrifying. It was my fear actually when Mr p was on the phone was that they would know and there might be some kind of come back.
Hopefully they will just stay away. We do have a huge number of hares here.
Twice in one weekend is quite a lot.
We have had the odd couple of guys and maybe 2 dogs in the past but not like yesterday.

 

[some show]

I guess that's probably quite an extreme case, probably they're mostly cowards - watch out for them abandoning their 'used' lurchers on your land when they do a runner, too (like that exhausted one)!

I'm jealous that you have so many hares, they're so beautiful! I live in gloucestershire too but on the FOD side and there aren't any around here.