For the second time this season cruel hare coursing has been halted in Ireland under Coronavirus restrictions. This is a Christmas gift to the persecuted hares of Ireland, a respite from a horrific blood sport in which they are terrorized and injured for the amusement of gamblers and sight-seers. The absence of coursing could last for maybe six weeks or maybe even two months or more.
But the animals face possible danger: Though coursing is suspended, the hares captured for the now canceled baiting events are still in captivity on coursing club grounds.
Last October, when coursing was first halted due to Coronavirus, all hares were released by government decree. Now, again, we are appealing to the Irish Government to intervene to ensure that the hares are set free, back into the wild where they belong.
You can join the appeal by sending a short message to the Irish Government, asking that these gentle creatures be released immediately.
You can compose your own message or use the following sample:
I am calling on the Irish government to intervene on behalf of the hundreds of hares being held in captivity by coursing clubs throughout Ireland. I understand that hare coursing itself has been suspended to comply with Coronavirus restrictions, so why would the coursing clubs wish to continue holding the captive hares?
These animals are at constant risk in captivity. They could be used to blood greyhounds in cruel training sessions.
Please instruct the coursing clubs to release ALL captive hares immediately. Hares belong in the wild, not cooped up in wire enclosures at the mercy of people who would ill-treat them for “sport.”
Thanking you,
Sincerely
Email your message to this block of addresses (the relevant government ministers):
darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie, minister@housing.gov.ie, Eamon.Ryan@greenparty.ie, Stephen.Donnelly@oireachtas.ie, Charlie.McConalogue@oireachtas.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie, finegael@finegael.ie, micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie, info@fiannafail.ie, malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie
Thanks!