The Orda of Malta Ireland has blocked the Irish Council Against Blood Sports on Twitter after we renewed our appeal to the group to stop volunteering at Clonmel's hare coursing cruelty festival. ICABS was blocked after we tweeted the latest video evidence of coursing cruelty to the first aid organisation along with an appeal to end its shameful association with the bloodsport. Our footage shows a hare being hit and severely mauled into the ground at a recent coursing meeting, before being pulled away from the dogs, carried away and dumped into a box - See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTGE20GX7ik&feature=youtu.be&list=PLRkXOvbUPNNg1KdCXIhJwE_YQELz8SOX0 This response from the Order of Malta is very disappointing. Instead of blocking out the shocking reality of hare coursing, it should be recognising that as a charity dedicated to alleviating suffering, it is highly inappropriate to associate with an activity which causes suffering, injury and death. The Order of Malta is disregarding the inherent cruelty of hare coursing and choosing to continue providing first aid to those who get their kicks from watching hares running for their lives. During the three-day event at Powerstown Park, hares violently snatched from the wild in nets are used as live bait for dogs to chase while a merciless mob cheer and bet on the outcome. In an email to the Order of Malta's Dublin headquarters, ICABS praised the organisation's laudable work across the country but pointed out that volunteering at an animal cruelty event is undoubtedly contrary to its core values. "The coursing meeting in Clonmel is the culmination of a season of animal cruelty," we stated in our letter. "Every coursing season, hares are hit and mauled, resulting in painful injuries and deaths. Injuries include broken bones and dislocated hips. This is not the type of activity the Order of Malta should be associating with." A petition urging the Order of Malta to stay away from coursing has been signed by 1,500 people. Among the comments from those who signed are: - "I can't believe the Order Of Malta are present at such horror and cruelty. Please don't support this torture." - "Stop supporting this cruel practice! God loves all creatures and helping those that torture and maim any of them is like doing the deed yourself!" - "You are either compassionate to all life or you are not compassionate at all" - "Compassion should be felt for all sentient beings, so surely the Order of Malta should make a stand against events that involve cruelty." - "Order of Malta, please discontinue to encourage this 'sport' with your attendance at hare coursing" - "I am shocked that you would even think it appropriate to attend this event which glories in animal cruelty." ACTION ALERT Join us in urging the Order of Malta to stop volunteering at Clonmel's hare coursing cruelty festival. Order of Malta Ireland, St John's House, 32 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 Tel: 01-6430000 Email: info@orderofmalta.ie, chancellery@orderofmalta.ie, sub-priory@orderofmalta.ie, omac@orderofmalta.ie, Clonmel@orderofmalta.ie