“WHIPPED HARSHLY”: Irish horse dies from fatal injuries at UK racecourse

The latest Irish horse to die at a UK racecourse was “WHIPPED HARSHLY” before she suffered fatal injuries and died, it has been reported.

 

According to Animal Aid, which monitors injuries and fatalities at racecourses in the UK, 6-year-old Irish mare Katie Connell “dislodged a rail on the way out onto the track” but was deemed fit to race after an examination by a veterinary surgeon.

 

“During the race she appeared never to be travelling and was whipped harshly when struggling to keep up with the pace,” Animal Aid outlines on its website. “She was pulled up distressed soon afterwards. Her injuries proved fatal.”

 

Katie Connell died during a 3-mile, 11 obstacle hurdle race at Doncaster on 9th January 2019. She is the 4th Irish horse to die at a UK racecourse since the start of this year. Another horse also died during the same race. French horse Damier “appeared to slip on the final bend – on what was deemed ‘good’ racing ground – and lose his momentum – he was seen in a very distressed state, having ‘broken down’.” He too was fatally injured.

 

Following the latest deaths, Animal Aid’s Horse Racing Consultant, Dene Stansall stated: “The distressing scenes over the past seven days on British racecourses show the cruelty of horse racing. Horses are brutally whipped when giving their best, pushed to their limits and die because they cannot cope with the conditions in which they’re asked to race. The industry has serious issues to resolve, as it clearly cannot protect the horses it uses. People are turning their backs on this so-called sport, and for good reason.”

 

As reported by ICABS last week, at least 101 Irish horses died at UK racetracks in 2018. Statistics compiled by Animal Aid, show that the death toll passed the 100 mark after 12 horses from Ireland died during December.

 

At the beginning of December, three Irish horses lost their lives in a single day at a racecourse near Edinburgh. During a 2.5 mile / 10-obstacle race at the Musselburgh track, 6-year-old Sierra Oscar suffered a broken foreleg pastern and was destroyed. 12-year-old Irish horse, Smart Ruler, collapsed during another race and died. The third dead horse was named as Kensukes Kingdom. He was lame when he finished the 2 mile/9-obstacle race and was destroyed.

 

A few days later at Sedgefield, Irish horse Northern Sky was leading a 2.15 mile/8 obstacle race when he fell and injured his foreleg. He was destroyed at the track.

 

In the week before Christmas, two more Irish horses died at UK tracks – Ablazing and Make Magic both suffered fatal injuries.

 

On St Stephen’s Day, another two Irish horses died – Just Bobby and Lord Fendale were destroyed after falling and sustaining injuries.

 

In the final few days of 2018, the deaths continued. Scales Of Justice and Fergall fell and were fatally injured; Not Normal and Sister Sibyl were destroyed due to injuries.

 

The Irish horse deaths account for more than half of all the 2018 deaths recorded by Animal Aid on its “Race Horse Death Watch” website – http://www.horsedeathwatch.com Since launching the site eleven years ago, the group has documented 1,843 on-course deaths.

 

Irish horses have died during racing in the UK every month of 2018 (see full list below) and every month in 2017 when at least 83 Irish horses lost their lives.

 

“No other sport comes close to matching racing’s attrition rate – if it did, a ban would quickly be imposed,” Animal Aid states. “Approximately one in every 42 horses who starts a season’s racing will have perished by the end of it. They will have died as a result of a racecourse or training injury, or they will be killed after being judged to be no longer financially viable.”

 

“The horse racing authorities have failed to put clear, unambiguous horse death information into the public domain, preferring to offer complex statistical data rather than specifying, as Death Watch does, the names of killed horses, where the fatality occurred, who was riding the horse and the nature of the injury,” Animal Aid adds. “We have good reason to believe that the equine fatalities we are able to list on Death Watch, and which we have verified, fall some 30% short of the true total.”

 

Irish horses are not only dying in the UK but here in Ireland too. Damning “equine fatality” figures – released for the first time ever last June – finally lifted the lid on the appalling level of suffering and death in horse racing around Ireland. Further to a Dail Question from Clare Daly TD, Horse Racing Ireland revealed that 779 horses have been killed at races here in the past six years. That includes 116 horse deaths since the start of 2017. Out of the 779 fatalities, 562 occurred at racecourses and 217 at point-to-points (races organised by foxhunts).

 

ACTION ALERT

 

The Irish horse racing industry has received around 1 billion euros of taxpayers’ money since 2001, including €64 million in funding for 2018 and another €67.2 million for 2019. The government’s squandering of scarce public money on horse racing is particularly deplorable at a time when our country’s health and housing is in crisis and so many worthy causes are crying out for funds. Urge Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to end the funding.

 

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar

Government Buildings,

Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2

Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020

Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie

Tweet to: @campaignforLeo

Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/

 

Paschal Donohoe TD

Minister for Finance

Email: paschal.donohoe@oireachtas.ie, minister@per.gov.ie

Phone: +353 (0)1 6045810

Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaschalDonohoe/

Tweet to @Paschald

 

Sign Animal Aid’s “Protect racehorses from abuse and death” petition

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/211950

(Note: This petition may only be signed by British citizens / UK residents)

 

See also: €84 million for horse and greyhound racing

Reuters photographer captures hare coursing cruelty

A hare desperately tries to get away from two greyhounds at a coursing meeting in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick. This shocking image by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters was published last month by the Irish Times and is a stark reminder of the cruelty involved in hare coursing. It’s time for the Irish Government to ban this bloodsport.

See latest video evidence of coursing cruelty

ACTION ALERT

Please attend the “Ban Hare Coursing” protest in Clonmel on Sunday February 3rd, 12 – 2pm outside Powerstown Park https://www.facebook.com/events/2140777926174635/

With warnings from wildlife experts that the Irish Hare is in trouble, it is now more clear than ever that the species must be given FULL PROTECTION – no hare coursing, no hare hunting, no hare shooting. Urgently contact Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and demand that they revoke the 2018-19 hare coursing licence and end all forms of hare persecution.

Minister Josepha Madigan
Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
Phone: +353 (0)1 631 3800
Email: josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie, ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie, wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie, john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie, Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie, nature.conservation@ahg.gov.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://facebook.com/JosephaMadiganFG
Tweet to: @josephamadigan

John Fitzgerald
Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 3242
Email: john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie

SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)

Dear Minister Madigan,

I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to demand that you revoke the 2018-19 hare netting licence that has shamefully been issued.

In coursing, hares suffer and die at all stages – during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.

I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and end this cruelty.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

[Name/Location]

Contact An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and ask him to ban hare coursing and give permanent protection to hares.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: @campaignforLeo Tweet to @campaignforLeo
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/

Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to push for a ban on this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. Visit the Oireachtas website for names of TDs and their email addresses http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=32&disp=mem Write to your TDs at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889. Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share the petitions

Ireland: Ban cruel hare coursing
https://www.change.org/p/ireland-ban-cruel-hare-coursing

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland

Support our campaign with a donation
https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports

Sligo businesses shamefully advertise in hare coursing booklet

Shame on the Sligo businesses who supported a hare coursing meeting at the weekend by advertising in its booklet.

Among the businesses advertising at the Tubbercurry/Ballymena/Kilcreevin/BallyMote coursing meeting were Gillespie’s Menswear & Sport, McCarrick & Sons Auctioneers and Nathy Brennan’s pub.

At the cruelty event, hares ran for their lives as pairs of greyhounds were unleashed to chase them – all for the entertainment of a merciless mob who cheered on the dogs and gambled on which would reach the hare first and force the terrorised animal to change direction.

Last year, 80 hares were captured for the meeting, including 51 from Oyster Island off the coast of Sligo. Over the three days, 8 hares were pinned and mauled into the ground by greyhounds, 6 more suffered hits and 4 were confirmed injured by a vet. https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/files/tubbercurry-report-2018.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0xQQHuoXYvg03HfYUZp-j_LBHLrnce-xrAoXYFVgQes2sLos2aW2cjOaI

Please contact these businesses and urge them to stop supporting hare coursing.

Gillespie’s Menswear & Sport
Teeling St. Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
Telephone: 00353 (0)71 9185051
Email: shopgillespie@eircom.net

McCarrick & Sons
Teeling Street, Sligo
Telephone: 00353 (0)71 918 5050
Email: info@reamccarrick.ie

T Brennan pub (Nathy Brennan’s)
Teeling Street,
Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo
With warnings from wildlife experts that the Irish Hare is in trouble, it is now more clear than ever that the species must be given FULL PROTECTION – no hare coursing, no hare hunting, no hare shooting. Urgently contact Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and demand that they revoke the 2018-19 hare coursing licence and end all forms of hare persecution.

Minister Josepha Madigan
Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
Phone: +353 (0)1 631 3800
Email: josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie, ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie, wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie, john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie, Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie, nature.conservation@ahg.gov.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://facebook.com/JosephaMadiganFG
Tweet to: @josephamadigan

John Fitzgerald
Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 3242
Email: john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie

SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)

Dear Minister Madigan,

I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to demand that you revoke the 2018-19 hare netting licence that has shamefully been issued.

In coursing, hares suffer and die at all stages – during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.

I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and end this cruelty.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

[Name/Location]

The Irish Hare is a protected species but an exemption for coursing in the Animal Health and Welfare Act means coursers are not liable for prosecution for their cruelty. Join us in our call to the government to remove the exemption and provide full and permanent protection to this cherished species.

Contact An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and ask him to ban hare coursing and give permanent protection to hares.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: @campaignforLeo Tweet to @campaignforLeo
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/

Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to push for a ban on this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. Visit the Oireachtas website for names of TDs and their email addresses http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=32&disp=mem Write to your TDs at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889. Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share the petitions

Ireland: Ban cruel hare coursing
https://www.change.org/p/ireland-ban-cruel-hare-coursing

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland

Support our campaign with a donation
https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports

Gardai investigating horrific video showing dogs attacking sheep in Clonmel

Horrific video has emerged showing dogs attacking a sheep in a field in Clonmel, County Tipperary. According to Action For Animal Welfare Ireland, which uploaded a copy of the video to Facebook, the unleashing of greyhounds, lurchers, patterdale terriers and whippets to attack animals in the area is a regular occurrence. A spokesperson stated that stolen cats and dogs are also among the victims and that the pets are being “used as bait to make the hunting dogs more bloodthirsty”. Anyone with information is urged to immediately contact Clonmel Garda Station at (052) 612 2222.

 

See the footage at 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWeudq2jtg

(WARNING: Graphic content)

 

Video: Clonmel dogs mauling sheep being ‘hushed on by individuals’

Agriland, Jan 7, 2019

by Breifne O’Brien

 

A somewhat horrifying video has emerged on social media over recent days, which shows a group of dogs attacking a sheep in a field at night.

 

A torch is being shone on the activity and it would appear that the savagery is being actively encouraged by onlookers.

 

The disturbing video (albeit with no audio) originally emerged on Snapchat and was later uploaded onto Facebook page Action For Animal Welfare Ireland.

 

It is believed that the incident occurred on a farm near Clonmel, Co. Tipperary.

A spokesperson for Action For Animal Welfare Ireland explained that the person was trespassing on a farmer’s land with dogs and was encouraging the dogs to attack the sheep.

 

The spokesperson added that people are stealing pets in the area to use as bait, to make their dogs more “bloodthirsty”.

 

“These people are killing cats and dogs around the town in Clonmel as well.

 

A woman in the area had her dog stolen and found it a week later thrown in a field almost dead, after being used as bait. They’re at this every night; it’s a game to them.

 

“They are going out on farmers’ lands every night with these dogs.”

 

The dogs being used to attack the animals are “Greyhounds, Lurchers, Patterdales and Whippets and most of them have no licences”.

 

“Everyone is in fear for their lives of these people,” concluded the spokesperson.

 

https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/higher-lamb-growth-rate-and-less-worms-when-grazing-multi-species-swards/

 

 

Clonmel gardai investigate animal cruelty incident of dogs attacking a sheep posted on social media

Tipperary Live / The Nationalist, 7 Jan 2019

by Aileen Hahesy

 

Gardai in Clonmel are investigating incident of animal cruelty

 

Gardai in Clonmel are investigating an horrific incident posted on social media in which dogs attack a sheep while being egged on by several people.

 

Gda. Insp. James White said gardai in Clonmel received a complaint about the animal cruelty shown in the graphic video in recent days and are investigating the incident.

 

He said the social media post shows a sheep being mauled by several dogs which appear to be encouraged by a number of people.

 

“We are appealing to anyone with information on the location of the incident and the identify of those involved to contact us, ” he told The Nationalist.

 

Anyone with information that may assist the Garda investigation should contact Clonmel Garda Station at (052) 6122222.

 

https://www.tipperarylive.ie/news/home/356468/clonmel-gardai-investigate-animal-cruelty-incident-of-dogs-attackinga-sheep-posted-on-social-media.html

ISPCA calls for an immediate ban on fur farming

 

“We’re calling on the government to look at the scientific evidence, listen to the veterinary profession and listen to the public. It’s high time that the fur farming industry was banned in Ireland and consigned to the history books” – ISPCA CEO, Dr Andrew Kelly, calls for an immediate ban on fur farming (The Michael Reade Show, LMFM, January 4th 2019). https://www.lmfm.ie/on-air/shows/the-michael-reade-show/michael-reade-show-podcasts/the-michael-reade-show-friday-january-4th-2018/

ACTION ALERT

Urge Taoiseach/Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, to put in place a long overdue ban on fur farming.

Leo Varadkar TD
Department of the Taoiseach
Merrion Street, Dublin 2
Phone: +353 (0)1-6194000 OR +353 (0)1-6403133, +353 (0)1-6194598 (Constituency Office)
Email: leo.varadkar@oir.ie, leoconstituency@taoiseach.gov.ie, finegael@finegael.ie
CC: michael.creed@oir.ie (Agriculture Minister Michael Creed)
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/campaignforleo

Send an email to ALL Fine Gael TDs

maria.bailey@oireachtas.ie; sean.barrett@oireachtas.ie; pat.breen@oireachtas.ie; colm.brophy@oireachtas.ie; richard.bruton@oireachtas.ie; peter.burke@oireachtas.ie; catherine.byrne@oireachtas.ie; Ciaran.Cannon@oireachtas.ie; joe.carey@oireachtas.ie; corcorankennedy@eircom.net; Simon.Coveney@oireachtas.ie; michael.creed@oireachtas.ie; michael.darcy@oireachtas.ie; Jim.Daly@oireachtas.ie; john.deasy@oireachtas.ie; Pat.Deering@oireachtas.ie; Regina.Doherty@oireachtas.ie; Paschal.Donohoe@oireachtas.ie; andrew.doyle@oireachtas.ie; bernard.durkan@oireachtas.ie; damien.english@oireachtas.ie; Alan.Farrell@oireachtas.ie; frances.fitzgerald@oir.ie; peterm.fitzpatrick@oireachtas.ie; charles.flanagan@oireachtas.ie; Brendan.Griffin@oireachtas.ie; Simon.Harris@oireachtas.ie; Martin.Heydon@oireachtas.ie; Heather.Humphreys@oireachtas.ie; paul.kehoe@oireachtas.ie; enda.kenny@oireachtas.ie; Sean.Kyne@oireachtas.ie; josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie; helen.mcentee@oireachtas.ie; joe.mchugh@oireachtas.ie; Tony.McLoughlin@oireachtas.ie; Mary.MitchellOConnor@oireachtas.ie; Dara.Murphy@oireachtas.ie; Eoghan.Murphy@oireachtas.ie; hildegarde.naughton@oireachtas.ie; tom.neville@limerick.ie; michael.noonan@oireachtas.ie; kate.oconnell@oireachtas.ie; Patrick.O’Donovan@oireachtas.ie; fergus.odowd@oireachtas.ie; JohnPaul.Phelan@oireachtas.ie; michael.ring@oireachtas.ie; noel@noelrock.ie; david.stanton@oir.ie; leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie

Urge Fianna Fáil leader, Micheal Martin and Fianna Fail TDs to back a ban on fur farming.

Email: micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie, info@fiannafail.ie
Tel: 021-432 0088 (Constituency Office) OR 01–618 3000 (Leinster House)
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michealmartintd
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichealMartinTD

Send an email to ALL Fianna Fáil TDs

billykelleher@eircom.net; sean.haughey@oireachtas.ie; Bobby.Aylward@oireachtas.ie; brendan.smith@oireachtas.ie; johncurranff@gmail.com; Charlie.McConalogue@oireachtas.ie; michael.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie; sean.ofearghail@oireachtas.ie; john.brassil@oireachtas.ie; darragh.obrien@oireachtas.ie; eamon.ocuiv@oireachtas.ie; jackie.cahill@oireachtas.ie; john.mcguinness@oireachtas.ie; mattie.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie; micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie; michael.moynihan.td@oireachtas.ie; niall.collins@oireachtas.ie; coper@eircom.net; Robert.Troy@oireachtas.ie; thomas.byrne@oireachtas.ie; timmy.dooley@oireachtas.ie; barry.cowen@oireachtas.ie; fiona@fiona.ie; declan.breathnach@oireachtas.ie; mary.butler@oireachtas.ie; kevin.okeeffe@oireachtas.ie; dara.calleary@oireachtas.ie; escanlonmcc@eircom.net; sean.fleming@oireachtas.ie; niamh.smyth@oireachtas.ie; james@jameslawless.ie; shane.cassells@oireachtas.ie; willie.odea@oireachtas.ie; margaret.murphyomahony@oireachtas.ie; anne.rabbitte@oireachtas.ie; eugene.murphy@oireachtas.ie; jack.chambers@outlook.com; james.browne@oireachtas.ie; john.lahart@oireachtas.ie; lisa.chambers@oireachtas.ie; marc.macsharry@oireachtas.ie; jim.ocallaghan@oireachtas.ie; pat.casey@oireachtas.ie; aindrias.moynihan@oireachtas.ie; frankorourke1@gmail.com

Sign and share the petition – Ban fur farming in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-fur-farming-in-ireland-please-sign-and-share-our-petition

Please contact all your local TDs and urge them to support Solidarity’s Fur Farm Prohibition bill 2018. Contact details for TDs can be found at https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/tds/?term=/ie/oireachtas/house/dail/32

Hares running for their lives today and tomorrow in Cork and Tipperary

Hares are running for their lives today and tomorrow in Millstreet (County Cork) and Templetuohy (County Tipperary) as the shameful coursing season continues.

At last year’s Millstreet coursing meeting (held in the town park), three hares were caught and pinned to the ground by greyhounds and were examined for injuries by a vet. At the 2016 meeting, 7 hares “required assistance” (meaning they were caught and mauled by the dogs) and were examined by a vet

At last year’s Templetuohy meet, two hares were pinned to the ground. At the 2016 meeting, 6 hares “required assistance” and were examined for injuries by a vet.

All hares used in coursing suffer fear and stress, while those caught and hit into the ground are at risk of sustaining life-ending internal injuries.

This sick activity is facilitated by Josepha Madigan, a Minister for Culture and Heritage who, instead of affording every protection to the Irish Hare at a time when fears are growing for the future of the species, opts to pander to the minority of bloodsport enthusiasts who use and abuse wildlife for their amusement. Without the licences issued by Minister Madigan, coursing would not be taking place this week and every week up until the end of February.

See recent video footage showing the cruelty of hare coursing

ACTION ALERT

With warnings from wildlife experts that the Irish Hare is in trouble, it is now more clear than ever that the species must be given FULL PROTECTION – no hare coursing, no hare hunting, no hare shooting. Urgently contact Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and demand that they revoke the 2018-19 hare coursing licence and end all forms of hare persecution.

Minister Josepha Madigan
Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
Phone: +353 (0)1 631 3800
Email: josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie, ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie, wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie, john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie, Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie, nature.conservation@ahg.gov.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://facebook.com/JosephaMadiganFG
Tweet to: @josephamadigan

John Fitzgerald
Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service
Phone: +353 (0)1 888 3242
Email: john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie

SAMPLE LETTER
(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)

Dear Minister Madigan,

I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to demand that you revoke the 2018-19 hare netting licence that has shamefully been issued.

In coursing, hares suffer and die at all stages – during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.

I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and end this cruelty.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,

[Name/Location]

The Irish Hare is a protected species but an exemption for coursing in the Animal Health and Welfare Act means coursers are not liable for prosecution for their cruelty. Join us in our call to the government to remove the exemption and provide full and permanent protection to this cherished species.

Contact An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and ask him to ban hare coursing and give permanent protection to hares.

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2
Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie
Tweet to: @campaignforLeo Tweet to @campaignforLeo
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/

Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to push for a ban on this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. Visit the Oireachtas website for names of TDs and their email addresses http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=32&disp=mem Write to your TDs at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889. Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share the petitions

Ireland: Ban cruel hare coursing
https://www.change.org/p/ireland-ban-cruel-hare-coursing

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland

Support our campaign with a donation
https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports

Follow our campaign on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports

“Ban Hare Coursing” protest – 3rd February 2019

Please join the “Ban Hare Coursing” peaceful protest outside Powerstown Park in Clonmel, County Tipperary on Sunday, 3rd February 2019 from 12pm to 2pm.

 

Visit the Event Page to let us know you will be there

https://www.facebook.com/events/2140777926174635/

 

See recent video footage showing the cruelty of hare coursing https://www.facebook.com/banbloodsports/posts/1942962425819306

 

ACTION ALERT

 

With warnings from wildlife experts that the Irish Hare is in trouble, it is now more clear than ever that the species must be given FULL PROTECTION – no hare coursing, no hare hunting, no hare shooting. Urgently contact Minister Josepha Madigan and the National Parks and Wildlife Service and demand that they revoke the 2018-19 hare coursing licence and end all forms of hare persecution.

 

Minister Josepha Madigan

Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht

Phone: +353 (0)1 631 3800

Email: josepha.madigan@oireachtas.ie, ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie, wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie, john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie, Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie, nature.conservation@ahg.gov.ie

Leave a comment on Facebook: https://facebook.com/JosephaMadiganFG

Tweet to: @josephamadigan

 

John Fitzgerald

Director, National Parks and Wildlife Service

Phone: +353 (0)1 888 3242

Email: john.fitzgerald@ahg.gov.ie

 

SAMPLE LETTER

(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)

 

Dear Minister Madigan,

 

I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to demand that you revoke the 2018-19 hare netting licence that has shamefully been issued.

 

In coursing, hares suffer and die at all stages – during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips.

 

I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and end this cruelty.

 

Thank you.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

[Name/Location]

 

The Irish Hare is a protected species but an exemption for coursing in the Animal Health and Welfare Act means coursers are not liable for prosecution for their cruelty. Join us in our call to the government to remove the exemption and provide full and permanent protection to this cherished species.

 

Contact An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar and ask him to ban hare coursing and give permanent protection to hares.

 

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar

Government Buildings,

Upper Merrion St, Dublin 2

Telephone: +353 (0)1-6194020

Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, leo.varadkar@oireachtas.ie

Tweet to: @campaignforLeo Tweet to @campaignforLeo

Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/

 

Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to push for a ban on this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. Visit the Oireachtas website for names of TDs and their email addresses http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=32&disp=mem Write to your TDs at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889. Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

 

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share the petitions

 

Ireland: Ban cruel hare coursing

https://www.change.org/p/ireland-ban-cruel-hare-coursing

 

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland

https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland

 

Support our campaign with a donation

https://www.paypal.me/banbloodsports