"Having survived the last Ice Age of 10,000 years ago, the Irish Hare must now contend with recreational human cruelty and the craven political cowardice that allows coursing to continue" - Read John Fitzgerald's Letter to the Editor in today's Irish Examiner...

There is nowhere the hare is safe
Irish Examiner, 26 September 2018

It’s bad enough that coursing clubs are out snatching hares from fields, hills and mountainsides for the upcoming season, but can they not leave these persecuted animals in peace on our inland and off-shore islands?

In recent years the coursers have targeted Hog Island, off the County Clare coast, Whiddy Island, in Bantry Bay, Island Eddy in Galway Bay, and Oyster Island, off the Sligo coast, among other idyllic venues, the main reason for these incursions being that hares have become so scarce in many parts of Ireland, with some coursing clubs finding it difficult to capture enough bait for their fixtures.

Bull Island in Dublin Bay has not been visited by coursing clubs for the past three years. That’s the good news. The bad news is that there are no hares left on Bull Island. There were just two remaining in 2016, as confirmed by a visiting conservationist. A combination of netting for coursing and illegal poaching decimated the island’s hare population.

The Minister for Arts and Heritage, Joseph Madigan, has repeatedly stated in response to Dail questions that she cares deeply about the welfare and conservation status of the Irish Hare. How then can she allow this iconic creature, supposedly a protected species under the Wildlife Act, to be taken from the few locations where it can run free, untroubled by predators?

For the sad reality is that the Irish Hare is not safe in ANY part of the national territory. Having survived the last Ice Age of 10,000 years ago, it must now contend with recreational human cruelty and the craven political cowardice that allows coursing to continue.

I suspect we’ll only appreciate the value of this animal when it has disappeared from our countryside, or is pushed to the brink of extinction like the curlew.

John Fitzgerald
Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports)
Callan, Co Kilkenny

Follow John Fitzgerald on Facebook and Twitter
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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
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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
Tweet to: @campaignforLeo Tweet to @campaignforLeo
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share the petitions

Ireland: Ban cruel hare coursing
https://www.change.org/p/ireland-ban-cruel-hare-coursing

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland

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