Man Arrested in Jumilla for Illegal Hare Poaching with Hunting Dogs and Banned Night-Vision Equipment

Arrested During the Closed Season

A man has been arrested in Jumilla, in the Region of Murcia, after being caught illegally hunting hares during the closed season — the breeding period when hares are legally protected from hunting to allow population recovery. The operation, carried out by the Guardia Civil's SEPRONA unit (Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza), was named Operación Termi Caza.

The suspect was found hunting on restricted land where hunting is entirely prohibited, using greyhounds (galgos) to chase and catch hares. He was also in possession of a thermal imaging device — a piece of equipment explicitly banned under Spanish hunting regulations — which allowed him to detect wildlife in darkness and gain an illegal advantage over his quarry.

Criminal Charges, Not Just a Fine

SEPRONA opened proceedings for an alleged crime against flora, fauna and domestic animals under Spain's Penal Code — a criminal-level charge, not merely an administrative fine. Criminal convictions for wildlife offences in Spain can carry prison sentences and substantial fines.

The suspect is a repeat offender: he had previously been investigated for similar poaching offences in Albacete in 2024, raising the severity of the case.

Why This Matters

Illegal hunting during closed seasons — particularly the use of greyhounds and lurchers to run down hares — is a persistent problem across inland Spain. The combination of prohibited land, banned equipment, and out-of-season hunting makes this case a serious example of the kind of wildlife crime SEPRONA actively targets along the Murcia–Albacete border region.

This article is based on reporting from Murcia Today, published May 2026.