A unique opportunity has arisen to end the horriic practice of live hare coursing in Ireland: The Green Party is now in government as part of a three-party coalition. The Grrens are committed to a ban on hare coursing, but with the pro-blood sports groups lobbying hard it's vital to let the Greens see the strength of opposition to hare coursing

So, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports is appealing to animal lovers everywhere to contact the Green Party's minister in the new government who has the power to act against hare coursing.

Malcolm Noonan (Green Party) will have responsibility for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, meaning that he will be the Minister making a decision soon on whether to grant a license permiting another season of hare coursing. 

Please join us in appealing to Minister Noonan to REFUSE THE LICENCE.

An end to Ireland's cruel coursing is long overdue. A RED C opinion poll conducted last September shows that a 77% majority of Irish citizens want the bloodsport banned (with just 9 per cent disagreeing with a ban).

In coursing, thousands of hares are snatched from the wild in nets and forced to run for their lives in front of greyhounds. All hares suffer the fear and stress of running for their lives and every coursing season, hare injuries and deaths occur.

Among the injuries documented are broken back, spinal injury, broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.

Hares suffer at all stages - during capture, while held captive in coursing compounds and at the coursing meetings where they can be seen desperately running as a merciless mob cheer the greyhounds on and gamble on which dog will force the hare to change direction first.

Minister Malcolm Noonan has in the past condemned coursing, saying the suffering inflicted on hares "highlights a shocking disregard for the welfare of the animals”.
It’s time for Ireland to finally consign this shameful activity to history.

You can really help the animals in this instance...by contacting Minister Malcolm Noonan and urge him to refuse a hare coursing licence.

Here are contact details:

Malcolm Noonan TD
Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform

KIldare Street, Dublin, Ireland
Tel: (01) 6183148
Email: malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/noonan_malcolm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/votemalcolmnoonan1/