There are renewed calls on the government to stop hare coursing from going ahead this weekend after it emerged that there could be more than 144 people coming together on Saturday for the first day of a cruelty event in County Clare.
A list published online shows that on Day 1 of the Liscannor coursing meet, 72 greyhounds (including reserves) have been entered to take part in the bloodsport which sees hares forced to run for their lives within an enclosed field.
A notice on the Irish Coursing Club website reveals that up to two people will be allowed to attend with each greyhound - one to bring the dog to the release area at the bottom of the field and another at the other end to try and catch the dog after the hare has been terrorised.
This means that on Day 1, there could be 144 people in attendance, not including organisers.
On day 2, there will be 28 greyhounds and as many as 56 or more people.
In an appeal yesterday to Housing, Local Government and Heritage Minister Darragh O’Brien to withdraw the 2020-21 coursing licences he issued last month, ICABS pointed out that the large number of coursers gathering for their weekend of barbarity comes at a time when Level 3 of Ireland’s nationwide Plan for Living with COVID-19 makes it clear that organised outdoor gatherings can only have “up to a maximum of 15 people”.
“In the interests of public safety and doing everything possible to slow the spread of COVID-19, it is imperative for you to withdraw the licence and immediately shut down all coursing,” we stated.
Despite growing levels of infections and deaths and countrywide Level 3 restrictions, the coursers are shamefully determined not to let a pandemic get in the way of their animal cruelty.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan have also been contacted and urged to act in the interests of public safety and ensure that hare coursing is stopped.
They have been reminded about a RED C opinion poll conducted last year which shows that 77 per cent of Irish citizens want hare coursing banned (with just 9 per cent disagreeing with a ban).
ACTION ALERT
Contact Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and the Irish Government today and demand that hare coursing is stopped.
Health Minister, Stephen Donnelly
Tel: (01) 201 7300 or (01) 618 3041
Email: ministersoffice@health.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DonnellyforWicklow
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DonnellyStephen
Micheál Martin, Taoiseach
Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; info@fiannafail.ie
Phone: +353 (0)1–618 4350 or +353 (0)21-432 0088
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@MichealMartinTD
Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste
Telephone: +353 (0)1-704 3630 OR +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Tweet to: @LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar
Contact Minister Darragh O’Brien and demand a withdrawal of the 2020-21 coursing licence.
Minister Darragh O’Brien (Fianna Fail, Dublin Fingal)
Tel: (01) 618 3802 OR (086) 251 9893
Email: darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie; minister@housing.gov.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DarraghOBrienTD
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