(Letter in Irish Examiner-May 27th)
Hunting animals must be stopped
There have been warnings from some politicians about the need to defend the interests of rural Ireland in the Programme for Government being hammered out by Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Greens.
I hope those “interests” will not be deemed by the parties to include the continued legality of hare coursing and fox hunting.
These abhorrent practices are stains on the countryside and Ireland’s reputation that do nothing enhance the quality of rural life. The gentle hare is trapped and forced to dodge dogs for human amusement. Some are mauled or have their bones crushed. All are subjected to the stress and terror of a contrived chase.
Thousands of them are used in this vile blood sport every year, and the last season was allowed to proceed despite an outbreak of a deadly, highly contagious disease that could have wiped out the hare population. The government went against scientific advice, choosing instead to listen to the hillbilly elements that have always got their way on this issue.
Likewise with foxhunting: Our animal welfare legislation has a special exemption to ensure that the pursuit of a wild dog by up to 30 or 40 other dogs (that rip its pain-racked body to pieces at the end of the chase) is not deemed cruel under Irish law. Overwhelming evidence of animal suffering is ignored in favour of concessions to “rural traditions” and political self-interest.
In recent days, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have been talking up their supposed Green credentials. Michael Martin emphasised in his Late Late Show interview on Friday that many of his party’s TDs are Green to the core.
Given that the Green Party’s official policy is to seek a ban on blood sports if its gets into government I hope its coalition partners live up to their new found eco-principles and agree, at long last, to give protection to the gentle hare and the wily fox.
Such a move would not amount to a betrayal of rural Ireland.
It would enhance it by safeguarding these jewels in the Crown of our wildlife heritage.
John Fitzgerald
Lower Coyne Street,
Callan,
Co. Kilkenny
* Petition to ban hare coursing in Ireland: