Update re Irish government decision on whether to grant license authorizing capture of thousand of hares for cruel coursing:

It appears now that a Green Party minister will NOT be allowed to make this crucial decision, but we still hope the government will not allow the widespread netting of hares while the killer RHD2 disease is rampant in the Irish countryside. If the license is granted hares will be exposed to a disease that could wipe out the species in Ireland

Please contact Minister Darragh O’Brien and urge him to REFUSE a 2020-21 hare coursing licence.

Sample message:

Dear Minister O' Brien,

I understand that you will soon be deciding on whether to grant a license to coursing clubs that would enable them to capture thousands of hares for their cruel so-called "sport." Apart from subjecting these gentle creatures to the horrors of a vile recreation in which they would be mauled, have their bones crushed, or die of stress-related ailments, they would also be at severe risk of succumbing to the RHD2 disease which is rampant in the Irish countryside.

The use of nets to capture hares, and their confinement in unnatural captivity prior to coursing, in addition to frequent handling by coursing officials, all increase the risk of spreading the disease in the hare population. The species could be wiped out and this would be ecological catastrophe: The Irish Hare, as you know, is a sub-species of the Mountain Hare unique to Ireland. We cannot afford to entrust its wellbeing to people who think of it as live bait for gambling sessions

This animal is recognized as the very symbol of Irish biodiversity. Please puts its welfare and survival before narrow political considerations and REFUSE the license application.

Thanking you...

Contact details for Minister Darragh O'Brien
Tel: (01) 618 3802 OR (086) 251 9893
Email: darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DarraghOBrienTD
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DarraghOBrienTD