A Poole man has been jailed after filming himself causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Broadstone recreation ground and sharing the footage on social media.
Billy Banks, aged 33, posted a video in which he pulled a live rabbit from a bag and set a young lurcher-type dog on it, then kicked the rabbit several times to make it run so the dog could continue chasing it.
The video was uploaded to a public hare coursing group on Facebook, leading to Banks being identified and arrested by officers in November 2025.
He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Poole Magistrates’ Court and was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court to six months in prison.
Banks was also banned from owning or keeping dogs, rabbits or hares for ten years.
In addition, Banks received a further sentence for unrelated offences involving the supply of class A drugs and possession of criminal property, resulting in a total sentence of six years and one month in prison.
Police Constable Chandler Organ said Banks’ actions were unacceptable and that officers would continue to investigate similar reports.
