If greyhounds knew about the proposed housing development at Shelbourne Park they’d certainly be wagging their tails. Developers should also direct their attention to fields on which coursing events are held - Read John Fitzgerald’s Letter to the Editor in Dublin People...
Shelbourne Park for Housing?
Dublin People, 3 March 2022
Dear Editor,
I was heartened to learn recently that Shelbourne Park may be developed for housing, possibly putting an end to greyhound racing in the capital.
I hope it does indeed have that effect, for the sake of the thousands of unfortunate greyhounds that are culled every year, or dumped (dead or alive), or exported to dodgy jurisdictions because they don’t run fast enough or have outlived their value to the an industry that thrives on gambling and indulges in massive over-breeding to produce winners.
I’ll celebrate on the day building starts on those houses.
Greyhounds can’t speak, but if they knew about the proposed housing development at Shelbourne Park they’d certainly be wagging their tails or doing little victory laps at the news that a vile dog-killing industry had just been torpedoed.
Coincidentally, I see that in response to a Dail question from Deputy Paul Murphy the Housing Minister (who also issues coursing licences), revealed that more than 59,000 thousand hares were captured with nets in Ireland since 2009.
Not for scientific purposes or as part of any pest-control drive, but so that so-called sportspeople could set dogs on them.
How nice it would be for our persecuted Irish Hare if developers would direct their attention to fields on which coursing events are organised.
These are quite spacious and would be ideal for housing.
With so many people crying out for homes in the midst of a national housing crisis, I suggest that all the coursing fields be given up for this purpose.
Then, instead of serving as venues where hares are terrorised, mauled, or have their bones crushed; for human amusement, the land would be helping decent humans find accommodation and maybe their dream homes: A win-win for everyone, except those who make life for dogs and hares alike a veritable hell on earth.
John Fitzgerald
SEE ALSO:
Shelbourne Park greyhound racing track owner seeks to develop site for housing
https://www.irishtimes.com/business/shelbourne-park-greyhound-racing-track-owner-seeks-to-develop-site-for-housing-1.4809506
The end of greyhound racing in Dublin may be in sight with the news that the owners of land on which Shelbourne Park track is located want to use it for much-needed housing
https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports/posts/4853109601471226
ACTION ALERT
Don’t go greyhound racing or attend events at greyhound tracks. Please join us in urging the government to end the state funding that is keeping the dying greyhound “industry” afloat.
Since 2001, Greyhound Racing Ireland has been granted more than a QUARTER OF A BILLION EUROS, including €16.8 million for 2020, €19.2 million for 2021 and €17.6 million for 2022. This is unacceptable and must be stopped.
Please contact your local TDs and urge them to oppose this funding. Visit the Oireachtas website for contact details for TDs https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/33
With a RED C opinion poll confirming that a 77 per cent majority of citizens want hare coursing banned (with just 9% disagreeing with a ban), it is now time for politicians to consign this nasty bloodsport to history. Join us in contacting all TDs and urging them to act to ensure that a ban is urgently introduced. Visit the Oireachtas website for contact details for TDs https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/33
Urge Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tanaiste Leo Varadkar to respect the wishes of the majority and ban hare coursing and all bloodsports.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin
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
Tanaiste Leo Varadkar
Telephone: +353 (0)1-640 3133
Email: leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie; finegael@finegael.ie
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@LeoVaradkar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeoVaradkar