Renewed calls to tackle hare coursing in the East and its links to betting overseas
Hare coursing targets brown hares, a declining species threatened by poaching and habitat loss
The Country Land and Business Association is supporting calls to tackle hare coursing in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and its links to betting syndicates overseas.
Last week, ministers warned criminals are livestreaming the illegal sport - where a dog is set on a hare.
Hare coursing targets brown hares, a declining species threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and is associated with theft, criminal damage, violence and intimidation of landowners who challenge the criminals.
Proposed legislation on the verge of becoming law includes increasing the possible penalties for trespassing in pursuit of game to an unlimited fine and - for the first time - a prison sentence of up to six months.
Two new criminal offences for hare coursing will also be introduced, which will be punishable by unlimited fines and prison sentences of up to six months.
The measures will apply to England.
Tim Bamford is a regional secretary at the CLA and says it's a concerning problem: "Hare coursing absolutely has been a blight on communities across the rural landscape for years.
"We always knew a lot of money was involved, but live streaming is certainly a new one on me, but does not necessarily surprise me.
"Hare coursers damage properties and drive on crops in fields, so our food production is limited. These people intimidate the local population, they are often quite aggressive.
"If this is now being opened up on the internet, this means even more people can access this, make even more money, and encourage a very very illegal and damaging act."