Order of Malta urged to stay away from cruel hare coursing

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports has today renewed its appeal to the Order of Malta to stay away from the Clonmel hare coursing cruelty festival next year. Earlier this year, the Order of Malta had a presence at the coursing finals in Clonmel to provide first aid to those getting their kicks from watching hares running for their lives. A posting on the Order of Malta's Facebook page shows the group's First Aid Station at the Powerstown Park venue alongside the message "Good week of duty over in Clonmel, with coursing and races". Brought to the Order's attention today is the latest video evidence of hare coursing cruelty which was filmed in the past few weeks - https://youtu.be/WNZUkbhXLSI?list=PLRkXOvbUPNNg1KdCXIhJwE_YQELz8SOX0 The footage shows a hare being severely mauled by greyhounds. The animal is hit, flipped head over heels, pinned to the ground and suffers a prolonged mauling. The hare eventually gets away from the dogs but is likely to have suffered major life-threatening internal injuries. Additional footage shows hares being terrorised by the dogs, a hare being hit and knocked sideways and a hare's lifeless body being carried off a field. It reflects badly on the Order of Malta that it has associated with this animal cruelty. We are urging the organisation to act in accordance with its ethos of caring and compassion and stop providing services at hare coursing events.