Cruel hare coursing is a 'pathetic excuse for a sport' and the politicians who allow it to continue should hang their heads in shame - Read John Fitzgerald's Letter to the Editor in today's Sunday Independent...
This pathetic excuse for a sport
Letter to the Editor, Sunday Independent
16 September 2018
Each outcry of the hunted Hare/ A fibre from the Brain does tear. These words from poet William Blake come to mind when I think about the first fixture of the new coursing season, set for Liscannor, County Clare on September 29-30.
Documents just uploaded to the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and that are open to public viewing reveal that at last year’s Liscannor coursing event, at least five hares were “hit” by greyhounds.
It is unnatural for a wild hare to be trapped in a coursing enclosure, manhandled by humans, "trained" to run up a field, and then used as a live lure for dogs.
The politicians who allow this pathetic excuse for a sport to continue should hang their heads in shame.
John Fitzgerald,
Callan, Co Kilkenny
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ICABS 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. Urgently contact Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and demand that they revoke the 2018-19 hare coursing licence 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
VIDEOS
See the cruelty of hare coursing on our Youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/icabs
SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)
Dear Minister,
I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to demand that you revoke the 2018-19 hare netting licence that has shamefully been issued.
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
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
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Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share the petition
Ban Blood Sports in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland