The Irish hare is a noble creature that has existed on this island for 28,000 years. These venerable animals represent so much of our heritage, yet they are losing their fight for survival as they are relentlessly hunted and brutalized by lurchers. This inhumane and extremely cruel sport decimates hare populations and causes unimaginable suffering to the individuals pursued and killed. 

This petition calls for an immediate end to this brutal and archaic activity. The Ireland’s Wildlife Act 1976 protects the hares during their breeding season but, tragically, this protection is insufficient. As per an independent survey, this has led to an alarming decline in the hare population, estimated to be lower than 20,000 from previous hundreds of thousands, since the last century (Source: Irish Wildlife Trust). This brutality towards this iconic part of our Irish culture and landscape must stop.

With your help, we can call on lawmakers to strengthen laws against hare hunting, impose stricter penalties, and ensure the protection of Irish hare habitats. We must remember that nature is a web of interconnections, where the survival and welfare of each species matter. Our heritage, our responsibility, our challenge is to stand for the noble Irish hare and say: Enough is enough. It is our urgent appeal to every person who respects life and nature, to sign this petition today. Together, we can and we must change this.