A hare “DROPPED DEAD” after a hare coursing meeting in County Laois, ICABS was disgusted to learn.
Sickening documents just published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (which shamefully licenses cruel coursing) reveal that the hare “dropped dead while being boxed at release”. The death occurred after the conclusion of the 2-day Borris-in-Ossory coursing meet, held on 12th and 13th December last - https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/files/coursing-borris-in-ossory-2018-19.pdf
According to a National Parks ranger who monitored the event, 3 hares were hit on Day 1 and two of these hares were “injured by dogs”. The ranger also reported that another hare was “injured by dogs” on Day 2. Was this injured hare the same hare who later that day dropped dead?
In contrast to the ranger’s observations, a report submitted by the coursers’ vet puts the number of injured hares at “nil”.
The vet stated that the hare who died after the coursing meeting and who may have been in unnatural captivity for over 2 months (the coursers started catching hares on 7th October) died as a result of “old age / natural causes”.
There is, of course, nothing “natural” about hares being trapped in a coursing enclosure, manhandled, trained to run up a field and used as live lures for dogs to chase in front of a merciless mob.
ACTION ALERT
With warnings from wildlife experts that the Irish Hare is in trouble, it is now more clear than ever that the species must be given FULL PROTECTION - no hare coursing, no hare hunting, no hare shooting. Urgently contact Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and demand that they stop licensing coursing and end all forms of hare persecution.
Minister Josepha Madigan
Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
Phone: +353 (0)1 631 3800
Email: josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie, ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie, wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie, john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie, Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie, nature.conservation@ahg.gov.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://facebook.com/JosephaMadiganFG
Tweet to: @josephamadigan
John Fitzgerald
Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 3242
Email: john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie
SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)
Dear Minister Madigan,
I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to demand that you stop licensing this cruel bloodsport.
In coursing, hares suffer and die at all stages - during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.
I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and end this cruelty.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
The Irish Hare is a protected species but an exemption for coursing in the Animal Health and Welfare Act means coursers are not liable for prosecution for their cruelty. Join us in our call to the government to remove the exemption and provide full and permanent protection to this cherished species.
Contact An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and ask him to ban hare coursing and give permanent protection to hares.
An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: @LeoVaradkar
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/
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.
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Videos: Ireland's hare coursing cruelty
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https://youtu.be/Z7X1S_Nng3I
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