There has been recent reports of poaching in the Green Belt fields which run alongside the A34 Wilmslow bypass.
PC Walker told wilmslow.co.uk "Rabbits have been killed by dogs and witnesses account for person(s) placing dogs down rabbit holes at these locations. Not only is this an illegal barbaric act but an unpleasant one for a family or dog walker to come across going about their daily routine/ walk.
"I would ask should you not be happy with person(s) that are at these locations, and suspect them to be involved in such activity, please call 101 and detail as much as possible: location, descriptions and vehicles."
PC Walker added "Poaching is not the quaint picture of the past where it is the one man and his dog shooting a rabbit or pheasant for his meal, but is organised crime and these people are usually in it for the financial gain, selling the meat into the food chain, which raises further food hygiene issues. Then some would call it a sport, just leaving the prey to die a slow and painful death, a complete brutal act.
"Cases like this tend to increase at this time of year after the farmers clear their field of crops and when vegetation is dying down. I would ask people are vigilant and report any suspicious activity as soon as they can do on 101.
"We need eyes and ears in the community to assist in issues like this, you can find out how you can assist in 'Rural Watch' by emailing."
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Isn't the preferred method ferrets and nets for rabbits?
Are police sure it wasn't badgers or foxes being hunted?
Finally, you would need a very large number of rabbits to make killing them worthwhile.