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Animal Voice: Issue 5, May 2012
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In this month's edition:
01. Agriculture Minister condemns digging out as "unacceptable"
01. Agriculture Minister condemns digging out as "unacceptable"
ICABS is calling on Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, to introduce a ban on the digging out of animals. Our appeal follows a Seanad Eireann statement by the Minister in which he condemned the cruel practice as "unacceptable".
Speaking on 22 May during a Committee Stage debate on the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012, Minister Coveney stated: "The measure applies only if there is undue cruelty such as the digging out of animals when they have gone to ground, which is unacceptable."
The digging out of foxes is carried out by what can only be described as thugs who use spades to uncover the creatures and then take pleasure in seeing their dogs inflicting the most savage of injuries.
Digging out and terrierwork also form a part of foxhunting in Ireland. The foxhunters' so-called code of conduct states that "digging shall only be conducted by a small number of experienced people and assistants appointed by the master or his nominee." Foxes chased to exhaustion during hunt outings try to find refuge underground but no mercy is shown. The hunt's sadistic terriermen are called in. They send terriers underground to hold the fox in place while the clay is shovelled away from above.
A former hunt follower who witnessed dig-out cruelty described it as "an evil act", adding that "no fox deserves to be killed in such a way."
ACTION ALERT
Contact Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney now and demand that a hunting exemption is removed from the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 and that a full ban on digging out and terrierwork is introduced.
Minister Simon Coveney
Dear Minister Coveney,
I support the Irish Council Against Blood Sports' call on you to ensure that digging out and terrier work are among the activities outlawed under the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill. These horrendous acts of cruelty are carried out by sadistic thugs, including terriermen employed by foxhunting groups. There is absolutely no excuse for this shameful animal abuse.
I urge you to ensure that the new Bill makes it an offence to dig out any animal, an offence to send terriers or other dogs below ground to catch or attack animals under any circumstances and an offence to use a pack of hounds to harass, attack, injure and/or kill any animal.
Thank you. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
Contact all your local TDs now. Demand that they urgently help save foxes from cruelty and back a ban on hunting and digging out.
Find out the names of your TDs and their email addresses:
If you prefer to post a letter to your TDs, address your correspondence to:
02. Urge TDs to amend the Animal Welfare Bill that fails to protect animals
A digest of the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 has been published. You can read it now at http://www.scribd.com/banbloodsports/d/92257014
Farcically, this "animal welfare" bill does NOT cover some of Ireland's worst acts of animal cruelty, namely foxhunting, hare coursing, fur farming, etc. The digest outlines that the bill excludes "lawful hare-coursing" and "lawfully held foxhunts".
Urgently contact TDs and demand that they push for the bill to be amended to include protection for all animals in Ireland.
ACTION ALERT
Contact Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and demand that the blood sports exemptions are removed from the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012.
Minister Simon Coveney
Contact all your local TDs now. Demand that they urgently intervene to remove the coursing and hunting exemptions from the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012. Easily send an email message to all of them now.
Or contact them individually. Find out their names and email addresses at:
If you prefer to post a letter to your TDs, address your correspondence to:
Urgently contact An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and An Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore. Ask them to show compassion for foxes and hares and use the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 as an opportunity to finally ban cruel coursing and foxhunting.
An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny
An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore
03. Horse Sport Ireland gone from National Lottery website
A webpage detailing how lottery funding supports pro-hunting body, Horse Sport Ireland, is gone from the National Lottery's website. The development follows complaints that Horse Sport Ireland presents hunting as an "equestrian discipline", includes a claim on its website that "the hunting field is an ideal nursery for both horse and rider" and provides a link to "more information on your local hunt club".
In an appeal to the National Lottery earlier this month, ICABS pointed out that hunting is one of Ireland's most appalling forms of cruelty to animals. A majority of lotto players would undoubtedly share our disgust that "good causes" lottery cash is benefiting a pro-hunting group, we stated.
We are renewing our appeal to the National Lottery to act to ensure that the government departments distributing lottery cash do not give it to pro-hunt groups.
ACTION ALERT
Appeal to the National Lottery to take steps to ensure that no financial support is given to any group connected to blood sports.
National Lottery,
SAMPLE LETTER
To whom it concerns:
I was alarmed to learn that National Lottery funds have been given to Horse Sport Ireland, a body which presents hunting as an equestrian discipline, includes a claim on its website that 'the hunting field is an ideal nursery for both horse and rider' and provides a link to 'more information on your local hunt club'.
I also wish to object to the granting of National Lottery funds to gun clubs. I understand that in the past decade, at least 48,000 Euro of lottery funds have been handed over to such groups.
I urge you to act on behalf of the compassionate majority of lotto players and ensure that the government departments distributing 'good causes' lottery cash do not give it to pro-hunt groups.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
04. Boston College asked to remove hunting from sports directory
Boston College Ireland has been urged to remove hunting from its Irish Sporting Heritage website directory. In a message to the college, ICABS stated: "Terrorising a defenceless animal and encouraging a pack of hounds to rip it to pieces is not sport. It's animal cruelty."
In relation to one of the hunts listed, information is given about meet days, ie "the hunt meet twice weekly, on Wednesday and Saturday, throughout the hunting season which lasts from October to April."
As part of our appeal to Boston College, we have invited them to view our foxhunting cruelty video at http://www.banbloodsports.com/v-fox.htm
ACTION ALERT
Ask Boston College to exclude hunting from its Irish Sporting Heritage project.
Dr Roisín Higgins,
Tel: +353 (1) 614 7452
Leave a comment on the Irish Sporting Heritage Facebook Page
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Dr Higgins
It is very disappointing and offensive that Boston College considers it appropriate to include hunting in its Irish Sporting Heritage directory.
Please show compassion for the animals that are terrorised, chased to exhaustion and ripped apart by packs of hounds. This is appalling animal cruelty, not sport! I urge you to remove hunting from the directory.
Thank you. I look forward to your response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
05. Ask Millstreet to stop coursing in town park
Photos from the Millstreet coursing meeting show hares desperately running for their lives. In these disturbing scenes, there is no mistaking the fear and stress of the hares as they try to escape a mauling from the greyhounds bearing down on them.
According to National Parks documents obtained by ICABS, 3 hares were hit during the December 2011 Millstreet meeting. Three hares were dead at end of coursing and a wildlife ranger noted that "a number of hares (at least 3, probably more) had conjunctivitis, as confirmed by Vet." At least 9 hares were found to be suffering foot injuries.
The hosting of this animal cruelty in Millstreet's Town Park represents a major black mark against a town that has so many positive attractions and associations. ICABS is calling on the town park committee to show compassion for the hares and permanently end the hosting of coursing there.
ACTION ALERT
Contact the Millstreet Town Park Chairman, William O’Leary (Tel: 029–71171) and urge him to prohibit any further coursing from taking place in the town park.
06. "Government does not plan to ban hare coursing": Coveney
Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, has stated that the government has no plans to outlaw hare coursing in Ireland. The statement was made in response to calls for a ban from Labour TD, Patrick Nulty and comes just weeks after ICABS revealed coursing's latest list of casualties. These include a hare crying out in distress, a hare with foot injuries, hares hit and mauled, hares dying from their injuries and hares being euthanised due to severity of injuries.
ICABS is disgusted at Minister Coveney's absurd suggestion that "coursing is run in a well controlled and responsible manner in the interest of animal welfare both for hares and greyhounds."
Deputy Nulty's Dail Question and the Minister's reply can be read below.
ACTION ALERT
Contact Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney and demand that the exemptions for coursing and hunting are removed from the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012.
Minister Simon Coveney
07. Sign the new ICABS petition
Please spare a minute to sign our new "Ban Blood Sports in Ireland" petition on change.org. Your signature will help remind Ireland's political leaders that a majority want foxhunting and coursing outlawed. Help us reach our signature target by sharing the petition link on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland
08. Labour's Patrick Nulty agrees with a ban on coursing
Dublin West TD Patrick Nulty has said he agrees that coursing should be banned in Ireland. Deputy Nulty is the latest Labour Party TD to express support for a ban on blood sports.
In an email, he said: "I agree with the ban [on hare coursing] proposed" and "I am very concerned about animal rights". ICABS greatly welcomes Patrick Nulty's statements. We are renewing our call on the Labour Party to push for protection for Irish wildlife.
Other Labour TDs to have expressed opposition to blood sports in the past, include Minister Pat Rabbitte, Minister Ruairí Quinn, Minister of State Jan O'Sullivan and Party Leader, An Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore. Minister Gilmore is on record as saying "I am opposed to the blood sports of badger baiting, cock fighting, dog fighting, hare coursing and stag hunting."
ACTION ALERT
Urge An Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore to push for a ban on coursing and foxhunting.
An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore
09. Online auction website removes glue traps
A big thank you to online auction website, eBid, for responding to an ICABS appeal and removing glue traps from sale.
The traps were taken off the ie.ebid.net site after we pointed out the suffering caused to caught creatures and the widespread condemnation the traps have received from veterinary professionals and animal welfare groups.
Glue traps are illegal in Ireland but remain legal in other countries.
We now turn our attention back to Amazon which continues to sell the traps. Please see our action alerts below.
Find out more about our campaigns against traps at http://www.banbloodsports.com/traps.htm
ACTION ALERT
Appeal to Amazon to stop allowing the sale of glue traps on its website.
Email from: Amazon.co.uk website
Email from: Amazon.com website
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Amazon,
I am writing to urge you to please show compassion and stop the sale of glue traps from your websites. Glue traps are incredibly cruel and cause much suffering to trapped creatures.
Thank you. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
Name/Location
10. Help expose illegal cockfighters
Despite being illegal in Ireland, the blood sport of cockfighting still takes place in some parts of the country. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is calling on members of the public to report any information about cockfighting activities to the Gardai. For the phone numbers of Garda stations all over Ireland, please visit: http://www.garda.ie/Stations/Default.aspx. You can also pass on information to the ISPCA National Cruelty Helpline on 1890 515 515.
Similar to other blood sports like foxhunting and hare coursing (both of which are still legal here), the typical cockfight involves horrendous animal cruelty. Two cocks are thrown into an enclosed pit and encouraged to rip each other apart until one succumbs and dies. This bloody combat is cheered on by spectators, many of whom will be gambling on the outcome.
Birds such as the Irish Game Cock and the Large Old English Game Cock are traditionally used since they are particularly territorial and will instinctively chase rivals away.
During the season (Easter Sunday up until the end of July), two forms of cockfighting are carried out - "naked heel" and "spur fighting". In naked heel, the birds' natural spurs are sharpened to maximise the injury they can inflict. Spur fighting, meanwhile, sees three-inch long steel spurs being attached to the sides of their legs. These are designed to cause even greater injuries and result in more savage battles. Cock fights can last up to 25 minutes or as long as the birds can withstand the injuries.
Please make a donation to ICABS
If you like our work, please consider making a donation. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports relies entirely on your generosity to continue our campaigning for an end to blood sport cruelty. Please become a supporter of our work today - click on "Shop" at www.banbloodsports.com for more details or send a cheque made payable to ICABS to ICABS, PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland. Thank you very much.
11. Noel Gregory's Animal Report 2012
Read Noel's excellent report at http://www.scribd.com/banbloodsports/d/92241524
In the report, Noel highlights the plight of Irish wildlife and birds. Well worth reading.
12. Coursing Cruelty Catalogue 2011/12
As the Department of Agriculture publishes its new Animal Welfare legislation, exempting hunting wild animals with dogs, we have further evidence of the horrific cruelty of hare coursing, which has also been exempted from prosecution.
Year after year, it's the same story with hares, used as live lures before greyhounds. They are stressed, terrorised, mauled, injured and killed, as revealed by National Parks reports, obtained under Freedom of Information. Today we reveal what can only be described as a Catalogue of Cruelty, gleaned from these reports - please see below. One ranger, atypically, described in human terms, hares being mauled as follows:
"There were 9 hares hit on Day 1. Of these, one hare was tossed and rolled on the ground; another hare was tossed and mauled; another was mauled on the ground by the two dogs and placed in a wooden box; another was hit about five times and mauled on the ground by the dogs. When the dog owners came running in, one of them grabbed the hare and lifted it away from the dogs by its side and then the steward took it from him and handled it in a more appropriate manner. The hare cried with what I presume was distress during this incident. The steward placed this hare in the wooden box. Another hare was tossed and badly mauled by the dogs later in the day. In all, 3 hit hares were retrieved and placed in a wooden box."
Despite the undeniable evidence of cruelty outlined here, our legislators continue to turn a blind eye, and are prepared to exempt this barbarity, just as was done 101 years ago in 1911. Meanwhile, hare coursing has been outlawed in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving the Republic the last outpost of a legacy from the Roman amphitheatres. This Fine Gael and Labour Government should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
See video footage obtained by ICABS at the so-called J.P. McManus Irish Cup hare coursing event. The February 2012 footage shows hares being hit, mauled, picked up and handed across a fence www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL741E0B6DA3CBB057
Please join us in appealing to the government to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 to remove the blood sports exemptions. Easily send an email message to all of Ireland's TDs at
or visit our Politicians Page at www.banbloodsports.com to contact them individually. Send them a copy of the list of victims below.
VICTIMS OF HARE COURSING DURING 2011/12 SEASON
CLARE
Ennis/Clarecastle, December 10/11, 2011
Tradaree, November 12/13, 2011, 2011
Millstreet, December 30/31, 2011
Mitchelstown, November 5/6, 2011
Fermoy, October 19/20, 2011
Mallow, Co Cork October 22/23, 2011
Charleville, Oct 29/30,2011
DONEGAL
East Donegal, December 3 and 4, 2011
Balbriggan, November 26/27, 2011
GALWAY
Loughrea, October 22/23, 2011
Galway & Oranmore, Nov 10 & 11, 2011
Listowel, Co. Kerry, Oct 12/13, 2011
Kilflynn, Co. Kerry, October 1 & 2, 2011
Lixnaw, Co. Kerry, November 4/5/6, 2011
Abbeydorney, Co. Kerry, October 22/23, 2011
Ballyduff, Co. Kerry, November 18/19, 2011
Ballyheighue, Co. Kerry, October 14/15/16, 2011
Castleisland, Co.Kerry, October 30/31, 2011
KILKENNY
Sevenhouses, Kilkenny, January 14/15
Parksgrove, North Kilkenny, December 26/27, 2011
LIMERICK
Limerick City, November 5/6, 2011
Limerick Regional, Clarina, October 15/16, 2012
Glin, Co. Limerick, October 7/8/9, 2011
TIPPERARY
Thurles District, 29/30, October, 2011
Nenagh, December 17/18, 2011
Westmeath United, October 15/16, 2011
Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath, December 17/18, 2011
WEXFORD
Gorey, 29/30 October, 2011
Murrintown, Wexford, 26/27 December, 2011
Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, November 26/27, 2011
Ballinaboola, New Ross, October 8/9, 2011
Please see our recent video footage showing hares being terrorised, hit and mauled:
13. Help distribute our "stop snaring" campaign postcard
If you can help distribute some of our "Stop the Badger Snaring Slaughter" postcards, please get in touch now - info@banbloodsports.com Let us know how many cards you would like and we will send them out to you. The cards call on Minister Simon Coveney to put a stop to the cruel snaring of badgers. According to Badger Watch Ireland, 5,769 badgers were trapped and killed in the cruel Government snares last year alone (www.badgerwatch.ie).
14. Cruelty concerns over two Galway coursing events
Galway Bay FM, May 14, 2012
The Irish Council Against Blood Sport is renewing its call to ban coursing after concerns about the treatment of hares including at two Galway fixtures despite the muzzling of dogs.
According to a report on hare coursing meetings for the 2011/2012 season secured under the freedom of information act, fixtures in Loughrea and Oranmore saw hares mauled by dogs causing serious injuries.
The report was carried out by the national parks and wildlife services
It found that in Loughrea 14 hares were hit by dogs, three were injured, three were put down as a result of injuries and three were missing while in Oranmore ten hares were hit by dogs and four were mauled.
Spokesperson for the Irish Council Against Blood Sport, Aideen Yourell is appealing to the government to follow England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and ban the sport.
http://www.galwaynews.ie/25783-cruelty-concerns-over-two-galway-coursing-events
15. 'Take The Hare Out Of Coursing' Says ICABS
Anti-cruelty group points to hare deaths in Cork
A number of hares died following coursing meetings across Cork county last year, undermining claims that the sport is harmless according to the Irish Council Against Bloodsports.
The ICAB has released copies of reports from coursing events in Mallow, Fermoy, Mitchelstown, Millstreet and Charleville that reveal that hares were hit by dogs, put down as a result of injuries received or died during the meetings.
"We suggest that Cork people might reflect on the ethics of hare coursing and confront this shameful practice in their midst," a spokesperson for the ICAB said. The group has called on the government to introduce a ban on using live hares in coursing.
"The government cannot dismiss the wildlife rangers' reports as "anti blood sports propaganda" as the rangers are appointed by the State and are completely independent in their duties.
"The reports make it clear that the only way to eliminate cruelty from coursing is to take the hare out of it.
"A mechanical lure would recreate all the fun and excitement of the practice, minus the suffering of a timid and defenceless animal," the spokesperson said.
The reports, filed by rangers who monitor the meetings, were obtained from the National Parks and Wildlife Service under the Freedom of Information act.
The meetings took place between October and December last year.
The reports reveal that at a Fermoy meeting on October 19 and 20, six hares were hit by muzzled dogs, one was injured and one put down because of
injuries. The ranger was also informed that a hare was found dead the morning after in the escape.
A subsequent vet's report stated that five hares were injured, four more than the ranger stated, with one hare euthanised.
The documents also reveal that there was no vet present at a meeting in Charleville on October 29 and 30. Despite this a veterinary report on the meeting was completed.
Seven hares were hit by dogs, three injured and two put down as a result of their injuries at a Mitchelstown meeting on November 5 and 6. A further hare was found dead in escape.
Three hares were hit by dogs, during a Millstreet meeting on December 30 and 31 last, and three hares were dead at end of coursing.
- JOE LEOGUE
http://www.corkman.ie/news/anticruelty-group-points-to-hare-deaths-in-cork-3113338.html
16. TD calls for end to greyhound track school tours
Mail on Sunday, 22nd April 2012
A TD has called for an end to the practice of giving school children tours of greyhound stadiums over fears it encourages gambling.
Independent TD Maureen O'Sullivan yesterday urged Education Minister Ruairi Quinn to end the tours as they are 'drawing' the children into a gambling culture.
'I asked him to deal with it firmly,' said the Independent TD for Dublin Central.
'The Irish Greyhound Board is offering free school tour outings of greyhound stadiums around the country,' said Ms O'Sullivan, a former teacher.
'The practice is deeply concerning. It may encourage the culture of gambling and betting to children as well as the culture of blood sports through the introduction of the hare system as part of the tour package.'
The department said the matter was one for individual schools.
Bord na gCon, the greyhound board, confirmed that it had recently started giving stadium tours to school children.
'The children come in at around 11am and are gone at 12.30pm. The tours are principally motivated from an animal welfare point of view to show how well treated the animals are and to encourage the acceptance of greyhounds as pets,' a spokesman said.
However, Ms O'Sullivan said greyhound racing was not a wholesome family pursuit.
'Greyhound racing is primarily held at night and gambling and drinking are everywhere. I don't see it as a pursuit that is suitable for children,' she said.
17. Protect dogs in hot weather
(From the ISPCA website)
Caring for animals in hot weather is important. Please read the following important points to ensure that your pet is not in danger from the heat.
All animals need a constant supply of fresh drinking water.
Dogs have no sweat glands and can only lose heat by panting. Make sure they have plenty of water to help them cool down. Check and fill their water bowl regularly
Don't exercise dogs in the heat of the day. First thing in the morning, late afternoon or evenings are the best times.
Watch for warning signs. If your dog pants quickly, looks very tired or collapses, it could be suffering from heat stroke. Put it in a cool, shady spot and spray the back of its neck with cold water immediately. Contact a vet for further advice.
Please remember never leave an animal alone in a car in warm or sunny weather, even in the shade or with the window partly opened, temperatures soon soar.
The Corkman of May 3rd 2012 has reported on an horrific incident involving a horse being abandoned to die after falling out of moving horsebox...
"A mare in foal was left to die an agonising death by the roadside after it fell out of the back of a horse box being driven along a country road near Rathcormac...'The two occupants of the car pulling the horsebox were seen some distance up the road arguing about what had happened. They then returned and tried to get the horse to walk to a nearby field, but the poor animal collapsed on the road after walking a few yards,' said the local eyewitness...Another eyewitness to the incident did manage to take down the number of the car and handed it to gardai who were called to the scene...A garda spokesman confirmed they were investigating the incident and were following 'a definite line of enquiry'."
ICABS has urged the Gardai to track down and take action against those involved.
Read the full report at http://www.corkman.ie/news/nightmare-death-for-horse-3098571.html
by Fur or Against
I was born here. On this fur farm. I know nothing else. Having never seen a field or a pond (How I'd love to go swimming right about now) I have no other expectations. I am a solitary creature. However, in the cramped cage, there are 3 of us. Not being anti-social or anything, we hate it. Slowly but surely, I am beginning to go mad. I have started to scrape myself, self harm and so on. I pace the cage thousands of times all day, every day.
This fur farm is disgusting. There are cages piled on top of one another. The fur farmers drop the food down through the top of the cage for us. Our food is horrible, fish offal and chicken... there is no reason why we should be kept here. We would be able to provide ourselves with much nicer food in our natural habitats. Our droppings also fall through the cages down to the floor and the smell is revolting. The mink get distressed when the fur farmer walks past them. They are not used to human contact. It frightens them.
I have only weeks left to live. When us Mink are around 6 months old, we are brought into a gassing chamber 30 to 40 at a time. Carbon Monoxide (100% concentration) gas seeps slowly into the room. Things go blurry before we ... Oh. I forgot to mention. We are semi-aquatic creatures. We love swimming and are able to hold our breath for ages. So our deaths are prolonged for at least 20 mins. Every second, however, is excruciating agony.
We weren't native to Ireland. We never asked to be brought here. We never asked to be caged. We never asked to be slaughtered for our fur. We never asked for any of this. And yet, why is it done here in Ireland? Where fur farming is not economically viable? Where fur farming is a seasonal job? Where most, if not all (roughly 20) fur farmers have second jobs? Ireland. The island of saints and scholars. What kind of an agricultural image does our country send out when it murders over 150,000 animals every year? Britain has banned fur farming. Austria has banned fur farming. Even Northern Ireland, our closest neighbour, has put an end to this abhorrent practice. But not us. Why, you might ask yourself? That is a question that has kept me up late at night, gnawing my pelt and biting my tail.
5 mink farms in Ireland, 5 too many.
Watch "Through The Eyes of a Mink on an Irish Fur Farm"
ACTION ALERT
Demand a ban on fur farming in Ireland. Email Simon Coveney now.
Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie
20. Badger Watch Ireland Newsletter
Check out the latest edition of the Badger Watch Ireland newsletter at
http://www.scribd.com/banbloodsports/d/92223410
21. Pro-hare coursing accessories withdrawn from Amazon
From Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports
The so-called "sport" of live hare coursing has been shamed yet again. As Dail Deputies Clare Daly and Maureen O’Sullivan prepare to move a Bill to ban the activity in Ireland, a producer of charm bracelets and key-rings has yielded to pressure from animal protection groups and withdrew a series of trinkets bearing the message "I Love Hare Coursing" from sale on Amazon.
The message had been prominently depicted on key-rings, beads, cufflinks, bracelets and necklaces that were advertised and promoted by Sven Licht Manufactory of Berlin.
We believe the main target of the promotion, however, was Ireland and the UK as the hare coursing motto would mean nothing to most people in mainland Europe. Hare coursing is still legal in the Republic of Ireland, and though banned in Northern Ireland and Britain there are die-hard elements in the UK who continue to hold illegal coursing events.
The Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports contacted animal protection organisations in Germany regarding the issue, asking for help in persuading Sven Licht Manufactory to cease promoting hare coursing.
Following a three-week long campaign instigated by the Berlin-based EcoTerra International organisation and involving lobbying by many other groups across Europe, as well as members of the public in EU countries, Sven Licht Manufactory has now withdrawn the pro hare coursing accessories from sale.
The Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports regards the success of the campaign and the withdrawal of the items as a sharp reminder of the fact that hare coursing projects a negative image of Ireland and is detested worldwide as a deliberately cruel blood sport.
22. Parliamentary Questions and Answers
Thank you to Deputies Maureen O'Sullivan and Patrick Nulty for these latest Dail Questions...
Question 163 - Answered on 10th May, 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the basis on which he makes the point in a previous reply that killing mink by gas to be humane bearing in mind that Compassion in World Farming state carbon dioxide should not be permitted for the killing of farmed mink and scientific opinion indicates that carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are both inhumane; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Ref No: 23600/12
REPLY
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: (Simon Coveney): The permitted methods for slaughter/killing of all farmed animals including fur animals are outlined in European legislation namely Council Directive 93/119/EC of 22 December 1993 on the protection of animals at the time of slaughter or killing. Exposure to carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are among the permitted methods for killing of fur animals and the chambers in which the animals are exposed to the gas must be designed, constructed and maintained in such a way as to avoid injury to the animals and allow them to be supervised. Council Directive 93/119/EC is transposed into national law through the European Communities (Welfare of farmed animals) Regulations 2010, S.I. 311 of 2010.
New revised welfare legislation on the protection of animals at time of killing, namely EU Council Regulation (EC) No. 1099/2009 has now been adopted and will come into effect on 1 January 2013. This revised legislation provides for a series of practical measures to ensure all animals are humanely treated, minimising distress and avoiding pain throughout the killing process. Permissible methods for killing of fur animals under the new legislation include carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and conditions of their use and key parameters are outlined. Under the revised legislation parameters will be measured and monitored on a constant basis. The legislation also provides for personnel supervising the killing of fur animals to have a certificate of competence relevant to the operations they perform.
Question 89 - Answered on 19 April 2012
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn if he will address concerns regarding the Irish Greyhound Board offering free school tour outings of the greyhound stadia around the country for students and teachers; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this may encourage the culture of gambling and betting to children as well as the culture of blood sports through the introduction of the hare system as part of the tour package; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ref No: 19557/12
REPLY
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn) Decisions in relation to educational tours by schools are a matter for each individual school. In accordance with my Department’s circulars, the objective of an educational tour should be to provide a significant benefit in the educational, intellectual, cultural and social development of pupils taking part. It is a matter for each individual school to decide on the suitability of any proposed tour having regard to these requirements.
I would share the Deputy’s concern that schools might expose children to gambling and betting as these kind of activities are not appropriate for young children.
Question 156 - Answered on 17th May, 2012
Patrick Nulty, TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure the banning of hare coursing and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ref No: 24689/12
REPLY
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: (Simon Coveney) Under the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the improvement and development of the greyhound industry, greyhound racing and coursing.
The Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, under section 34 of the Wildlife Act 1976, has responsibility for the issue of an annual licence to the Irish Coursing Club, ICC, and its affiliated clubs to capture live hares.
A Monitoring Committee on Coursing was established in 1993/94 comprising of [sic] officials from my Department and representatives from both the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the ICC to monitor developments in coursing and in that regard the situation is kept under constant review to ensure that coursing is run in a well controlled and responsible manner in the interest of animal welfare both for hares and greyhounds alike. Accordingly the Government does not plan to ban hare coursing.
"I can’t stand the idea of people hunting foxes and stuff like that..." Simon Cowell, when giving examples of issues of concern to the British public during an interview with BBC Newsnight. Quoted in the IFAW's No Return to Cruelty report http://www.scribd.com/banbloodsports/d/95153364
Conn Flynn of the Irish Wildlife Trust told TheJournal.ie that a 12-year study in the UK found that culling badgers has no significant contribution to cutting the level of bovine TB. Instead, culling can force the highly-territorial animals to flee and spread into other areas, potentially spreading the disease. The study found that cattle measures are the best way of controlling the disease, but there are restrictions on vaccination cattle due to export regulations. Flynn says that a study is underway in Ireland to examine the effects of the oral vaccination of badgers. He also says that tackling badger baiting is very difficult for gardai, but that it happens all over the state and the Trust has received a number of reports of baiting in Meath and Offaly in particular. from "Three in court over badger baiting", TheJournal.ie, April 30, 2012
The Australian government has listed koalas as "vulnerable" in parts of the country, adding them to a list of protected species. Australia’s Environment Minister Tony Burke designated koala populations in Queensland, New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory as vulnerable. Burke said the move was made in response to public concerns about the protection of the species and from scientific studies into koalas. The Daily Edge, May 1, 2012
"Minister of State for Small Business John Perry, who spent just over €40,000 on public relations, using the services of a former Fine Gael press officer. [Pro-bloodsports TD] Shane McEntee, Minister of State for Food, paid a similar amount to Liam Cahill Consultancy and Cahill Sports Emporium for public relations services." The Irish Times, April 14, 2012. Liam Cahill was a PR Adviser to the RISE! Rural Ireland Says Enough! campaign to promote and defend hunting.
Bord na gCon has been afforded an opportunity to reply to our articles of May 8. However, we wish to stress that we stand over the entirety of the investigation. Irish Examiner comment in response to a letter from Bord na gCon in which they "totally refute key misinformed points as presented by the Irish Examiner", May 14, 2012 http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/letters/bord-na-gcon-are-proud-of-their-achievements-193739.html
"Richard Stacpoole kept a pack of hounds at his own expense from 1868 onwards and there were regular hunts in the Killone district [Co Clare] up to 1880. But Stacpoole had difficulty in maintaining the pack of hounds during the 1880s because of land agitation. This was first experienced in 1874 when 12 of his hounds were poisoned by liver containing strychnine, for which 100 pounds was levied on the rates. Stacpoole donated the money to charity. Early in 1881 the tenant farmers prevented the Clare Hunt meeting at Eden Vale. The servant who looked after the Eden Vale hounds was intimidated and Richard Stacpoole was forced to sell the pack of hounds to an English party." from Irish "Sporting" Heritage website.
If an animal is abused when someone comes home with too much drink taken or if a person flicks a cigarette into a barn and it goes up in flames, killing or burning animals, the person should not be able to defend himself or herself by saying it was not on purpose. Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 May 2012.
Very often normal farming practices, even when conducted professionally, can include infuriating animals. Examples include trying to put a bull into a trailer and practices where animals are dealt with in close confines such as sheep dipping, dosing and tail docking and the de-horning of animals. Many everyday farming practices appear to fall under the definition in section 12. Senator Brian O Domhnaill (Fianna Fail), Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage, 22 May 2012.
Urban Tory MPs should tell [Prime Minister David] Cameron to stop behaving like a political amateur and hire election strategist Lynton Crosby who secured Boris Johnson's re-election. He would probably advise Cameron that the support of the hunting set won't win the Tories the next General Election and might very well lose it if hunting activists canvass for the party on urban doorsteps. from "Cameron needs to be told hunting is a major vote loser", Western Morning News, May 25, 2012.
The other experience I can't forget quickly enough. It happened in Kilkenny last week. Two men led a greyhound up the river. It was obvious they had come from the nearby racing track. What struck me was the animal's timidity. It cringed, keeping its distance from the men. They grabbed the dog, and hurled him into the river. The dog scrambled up the bank, cowering before the men. When they noticed me staring they walked further up river, where they repeated the manoeuvre. Flinging a dog into a river is a cheap way to clean him. And owners like to keep their costs down. Because there's big money involved in the Irish greyhound industry; about €500m a year. Thousands of dogs are bred annually, as greyhounds generally stop racing by age four. But the breed lives for 10 to 12 years. from Remember that there's life in the old dogs yet, Sunday Independent, May 27 2012
2010: "Dumped hens and chickens are a growing problem for the Westmeath Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals. 'We’ve come across hens and chickens being dumped - sometimes maybe because people have lost their enthusiasm for keeping them, or sometimes because they have stopped laying,' said the WSPCA this week. (Westmeath Examiner). 2012: "Westmeath SPCA Poultry and Car Boot sale at Mullingar Rugby Club, Castlepollard Road, Mullingar, Co.Westmeath at 10.30 am on Sunday 27th May"
"The hunting of hares with a pack of beagles or harriers during the closed season requires a licence under Section 26 (2) and two licences per annum are issued." from the National Parks and Wildlife Service website.
Ask An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to Ban Hare Coursing
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Campaign newsletter of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports
02. Urge TDs to amend the Animal Welfare Bill that fails to protect animals
03. Horse Sport Ireland gone from National Lottery website
04. Boston College asked to remove hunting from sports directory
05. Ask Millstreet to stop coursing in town park
06. "Government does not plan to ban hare coursing": Coveney
07. Sign the new ICABS petition
08. Labour's Patrick Nulty agrees with a ban on coursing
09. Online auction website removes glue traps
10. Help expose illegal cockfighters
11. Noel Gregory's Animal Report 2012
12. Coursing Cruelty Catalogue 2011/12
13. Help distribute our "stop snaring" campaign postcard
14. Cruelty concerns over two Galway coursing events
15. 'Take The Hare Out Of Coursing' Says ICABS
16. TD calls for end to greyhound track school tours
17. Protect dogs in hot weather
18. Nightmare death for horse
19. The Life of a Mink
20. Badger Watch Ireland Newsletter
21. Pro-hare coursing accessories withdrawn from Amazon
22. Parliamentary Questions and Answers
23. Campaign Quotes
24. Petitions
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie
Tel: 01-607 2884 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.
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Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
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Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie
Tel: 01-607 2884 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.
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Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Department of the Taoiseach,
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Office of the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,
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Department of Agriculture
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Tel: 01-607 2884 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.
Office of the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,
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According to ranger’s report, on day 1, 5 hares were hit, with 3 dying in escape after coursing. On day 2, 7 hares were hit, 2 killed, 4 injured, 1 put down and 2 died from injuries. This amounts to a total of 8 fatalities.
On day 1, 2 hares were hit and 1 killed. On day 2, ranger noted that 4 hares had died overnight and 1 after coursing. Vet’s report stated that 9 hares were “unfit for coursing, 1 injured and 1 unfit after coursing.
3 hares were hit by dogs, 3 hares were dead at end of coursing. Ranger noted that “a number of hares (at least 3, probably more) had conjunctivitis, as confirmed by Vet. At least 9 hares had foot injuries.”
7 hares hit by dogs, 3 injured and 2 put down as a result of their injuries, plus 1 found dead in escape.
6 hares hit by muzzled dogs, 1 injured and 1 put down because of injuries, with the ranger being informed that a hare was found dead the morning after in the escape. Vet’s report stated that 5 hares were injured (4 more than ranger stated) with 1 hare euthanised.
9 hares hit by muzzled dogs, and 1 “escaped” from paddock.
5 hares hit. It was stated that no vet was present, but on call, while the ICC control steward said there was veterinary involvement. The vet completed a veterinary report, despite not being present.
Ranger stated 1 hare hit, 1 injured and died from injury.
9 hares hit, 1 injured, according to NPWS ranger, with vet’s report stating that 2 hares were injured and 2 “sick or otherwise unfit” after coursing, and ICC control steward stating that 1 died of natural causes, and 1 injured hare released – did this receive veterinary attention?
14 hares hit by muzzled dogs, with 3 put down because of injuries. It was noted that 3 hares were “unaccounted for” on release. According to the ranger’s notes, it was realised on release that a hare was injured, and it was then brought to the vet and euthanised.
10 hares hit, 4 pinned.
7 hares hit by greyhounds, 3 killed, 3 injured and 2 put down because of injuries, plus 1 died in coursing compound, a total of 7 fatalities.
12 hares hit by dogs, 3 hares killed, 3 died of “natural causes”, 1 injured and 1 put down because of injuries.
2 hares hit by greyhounds, 1 killed and 1 died of “natural causes”. Veterinary report answers ‘Nil’ to all questions regarding welfare of hares and makes no reference to any hare killed or dying of “natural causes”, despite the ranger’s ticking the yes box to veterinary involvement question.
6 hares hit by greyhounds, 1 killed.
4 hares hit by dogs, and 1 died of “natural causes”. Despite the fact that it was stated that there was veterinary involvement, the vet’s report made no mention of the hare death.
Ranger didn’t attend on Day 1. 4 hares struck over 2 days, with 1 hare killed and 1 dying of “natural causes”.
1 hare hit by muzzled dogs.
12 hares hit by muzzled dogs, 1 killed, 4 injured and 1 put down because of injuries.
13 hares hit by muzzled dogs, 2 killed 2 put down because of injuries, with 2 “escaped”. Veterinary report states 2 hares injured, but no reference to 2 hares that had to be put down. The vet was noted as being “on call”. Who put down the hares, if not the vet?
10 hares struck by greyhounds, with 4 injured and 1 put down because of injuries, 1 “escaped”.
15 hares hit by dogs, 5 “pinned” and 10 “tipped”, 5 injured and 2 died of injuries. Ranger stated that a post mortem was sought on the hares that died, with his line manager requesting via a note on the form the findings of the post mortem, stating “I presume it was internal injuries rather than muzzles coming off?” Ranger noted “Yes – muzzles did not come off.”
Ranger stated that 2 hares were killed.
10 hares hit over the two days, 2 hares killed, 2 injured and 2 died overnight in coursing compound.
4 hares hit by muzzled dogs.
Ranger described coursing as follows: “There were 9 hares hit on Day 1. Of these, one hare was tossed and rolled on the ground; another hare was tossed and mauled; another was mauled on the ground by the two dogs and placed in a wooden box; another was hit about five times and mauled on the ground by the dogs. When the dog owners came running in, one of them grabbed the hare and lifted it away from the dogs by its side and then the steward took it from him and handled it in a more appropriate manner. The hare cried with what I presume was distress during this incident. The steward placed this hare in the wooden box. Another hare was tossed and badly mauled by the dogs later in the day. In all, 3 hit hares were retrieved and placed in a wooden box,” which was subsequently taken away by the vet, who stated in his report that 1 died and 2 were released.
6 hares hit by muzzled dogs, with 1 “bad grazing”. Vet stated 2 hares were injured.
Over the two days of coursing 16 hares were hit by dogs, with 9 pinned and 7 dying of their injuries, according to NPWS ranger’s report. However, the vet’s report does not cite any hares injured or killed or euthanised.
Ranger reported 6 hares hit by muzzled dogs on Day 2, with 6 injured and 2 killed. Meanwhile veterinary report cited 12 hares unfit for coursing, 4 hares injured and 16 “sick or otherwise unfit” after coursing. According to this coursing club’s Hare Capture Return, 86 hares were captured for coursing. However a number of 75 were cited at the start of coursing on day 1, leaving a discrepancy of 11 hares. In a memo from the ranger to his superior, he cited that the club informed him that they had a “break in on their hare paddock” and that “8 hares were missing and 3 killed”.
7 hares struck by greyhounds with 3 injured. Despite the fact that it was indicated on the ranger’s report that there as veterinary involvement in the meeting, the vet cited nil hares injured at the meeting, so it would appear that these hares were not examined
14 hares hit by dogs, 14 hares injured, 1 killed and 1 died from injuries. Vet noted just 1 hare injured and 1 “sick or otherwise unfit after coursing”, in contrast to the 14 noted by the ranger. Did vet inspect any injured hares?
'TAKE THE HARE OUT OF COURSING' SAYS ICABS
Thursday May 17 2012
by John Lee, Political Editor
http://www.bebo.com/furoragainst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVfYKlMyCmg
Tel: 01-607 2884 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01 661 1013 and 021 437 4862
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/101784
Stop badger culling and focus on a vaccination programme in Ireland
Stop sponsoring hare coursing in Ireland
Stop the Bail-Out for Irish Dog Tracks
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Petition Against Faroese Pilot Whale Hunts
Ban Larsen Traps & Multi Corvid Traps
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