Rabbit - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition rabbit

Definition :

Rabbit, also termed 'coney' in the (English) Game Act, 1831, ss. 30-32 of which render trespass in the daytime in pursuit of conies punishable on summary conviction by fine upto 2l; trespassers may be required to quit the land and to tell their names and abodes on pain of arrest on refusal, and similar trespass with violence by five or more armed persons is punishable by fine up to 5l. By the (English) Night Poaching Act, 1828, s. 1, unlawfully taking or destroying game or rabbits by night is punishable on summary conviction by imprisonment up to three months with hard labour (with increased punishments for second or third offences); and by s. 9 of the same Act, armed persons to the number of three or more unlawfully entering land for the purpose of destroying game or rabbits are punishable after conviction on indictment by penal servitude up to ten years or imprisonment with hard labour up to three years.

A tenant may shoot rabbits on his farm, although the right of sporting is reserved to the landlord: see Ground Game Act, 1880, ante, title GROUND GAME. The (English) Forestry Act, 1919, s. 4, empowers the Commissioners to enter land and to destroy rabbits, hares, or vermin in order to protect trees or tree plants after notice to the occupier of the land and his failure to prevent such damage. See Aggs on Agricultural Holdings; and Chitty's Statutes, tit. 'Game.'