Watch this rare footage obtained this week of hares in captivity on the grounds of a coursing club in Edenderry, County Offaly, Ireland. These hares were being held in preparation for a three day live hare coursing event. Because hare coursing is legal in Ireland, nothing could be done for these animals. The compound was heavily guarded, 24/7, so even activists intent on releasing them might not have succeeded. The people who filmed the hares seen in this brief eerie snippet risked a severe beating if seen by the "heavies" guarding the animals. In the past, animal protection campaigners have been assaulted and had their cameras smashed or confiscated. The Irish hare coursing season is underway and again we are pressing politicians here to ban this blood sport completely.