Editing Hare coursing (section)

{{Short description|Competitive activity where sighthounds pursue hares}}
[[File:Sloughi hunt Sahara Festival.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Sloughi]] coursing a hare]]
[[File:Coursing the Hare.JPG|thumb|right|''Coursing the hare'', [[Francis Barlow (artist)|Francis Barlow]], 1686]]

'''Hare coursing''' is the pursuit of [[hare]]s with [[greyhound]]s and other [[sighthound]]s, which chase the hare by sight, not by scent.

In some countries, it is a legal, competitive activity in which dogs are tested on their ability to run, overtake and turn a hare, rather than a form of hunting aiming at the capture of [[Game (hunting)|game]]. It has a number of variations in its rules around the world. Coursing can also be a form of [[hunting]] or [[pest control]]. It is a long-established hunting technique, practiced historically in England, especially with greyhounds or sighthound breeds, or with [[lurcher]]s which are crossbred sighthounds. The sport grew in popularity in Europe during the 19th century but has since experienced a decline due in part to the introduction of [[greyhound racing]] with betting, and laws passed that have banned the practice.

In recent decades, controversy has developed around hare [[coursing]], with some viewing it as a cruel [[bloodsport]]. Hare coursing is illegal in the United Kingdom. In other countries, including [[Spain]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] and the [[Western United States]], it is a regulated and judged, competitive sport.