Cruelty and carnage during Cork hunt: Pet cat mauled to death, out-of-control dog hit and killed by car, with vehicle damaged and driver distressed. Read more in the Southern Star report and join us as we renew calls on the government to ban hunting with packs of hounds...
Family’s pet is mauled to death by hounds
Southern Star, 21 November 2018
by Emma Connolly
A family was devastated after their beloved pet cat was mauled to death by a pack of hounds near Newcestown at the weekend.
The cat, which its owners had since it was a kitten, was savagely killed by the dogs as they passed through a nearby farmyard in Mossgrove last Sunday afternoon while hunting.
The animal's owner, Michael Scanlon, said it has been very upsetting and he has called for hunting groups to give advance notice before they arrive in an area.
Since hunting season opened on November 1st, this is a common Sunday afternoon activity in many areas throughout West Cork.
Michael said: 'I have no problem with people hunting, but there needs to be some law and order regulation around it. Locals should be asked for their permission and advance notice should be given so that people look after their animals in a proper way and have them inside.'
The Irish Hunting Association said the protocol for all their constituents, including the Irish Foot Harriers Association, is for permission to be expressed or implied by the landowner.
Michael and his wife initially thought their pet was missing, but a neighbouring farmer discovered him in his yard on Monday morning.
He claimed: 'Such was the lack of control over the dogs that one dog jumped out over the fence on the road near old Mossgrove Creamery and was fatally injured by a passing car, and in the collision caused damage to the car, as well as much distress to the driver. Proper traffic management needs to be in place to let motorists know that these dogs will be crossing the road.'
He said he was still trying to establish the identity of the group that was hunting.
A member of Mossgrove Harriers said they were not hunting last Sunday and added that the area was popular with many groups and individuals who come from as far away as Carrigtwohill to hunt.
Photographs of the family pet, seen by The Southern Star, show that cat was viciously attacked on its neck and mauled to death. The majority of the photographs were not suitable for publication.
Jennifer Headlam of the West Cork Animal Welfare Group said they were aware of incidents like this happening in the region and joined Michael in the call for advance notice of hunting activities.
----------------------------------------------
ICABS ACTION ALERT
Contact the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and demand a ban on hunting with hounds.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: @campaignforLeo
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/
Tanaiste Simon Coveney TD
Iveagh House
80 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Phone: +353 (0)1 408 2000
Email: simon.coveney@oireachtas.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SimonCoveney
Tweet to: @simoncoveney
Urge the Minister for Agriculture to remove an exemption for foxhunting from Ireland's Animal Health and Welfare Act.
Michael Creed TD
Minister for Agriculture
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Email: michael.creed@oir.ie
Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelcreedtd
Tweet to: @creedcnw
Appeal to all Irish politicians
Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to push for a ban on this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too.
Visit the Oireachtas website for names of TDs and their email addresses http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=32&disp=mem
Write to your TDs at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889.
Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.