Two hares died at a shameful coursing meeting in Donegal, newly released documents have revealed.
One of the hares suffered injuries and died after being pinned to the ground by greyhounds. The other hare was also caught and “held by muzzled dogs” before being retrieved and examined by a vet. This hare was confirmed injured and was “put down as a result of injuries”.
Sickening documents just published by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (which licenses the cruelty) show that the hares died at the East Donegal (2) coursing meeting held in Lifford on 31 December 2018 and 1 January 2019 - https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/files/coursing-east-donegal-2-2018-19.pdf
There were a total of 62 hares held captive for the meeting. 50 of these hares had been used earlier in December at the East Donegal (1) coursing meeting. These 50 hares were snatched from the wild by the coursers between 23rd September and 11 November, meaning the hares at the East Donegal (2) meeting had been in captivity for as long as 100 days.
At the 2017-2018 East Donegal coursing meetings, 3 hares were reported injured and killed.
Shame on Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service for continuing to license this cruel bloodsport, despite being aware of the suffering and deaths of hares. Please respond to our action alert below and join us in demanding a long overdue ban on coursing.
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/LeoVaradkar
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.
Videos: Ireland's hare coursing cruelty
https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports/videos/1492231004225786/
https://youtu.be/Z7X1S_Nng3I
https://youtu.be/Q7njqNGKyiI