Responding to a Dail Question from ICABS President, Maureen O'Sullivan TD, the Minister for Arts and Heritage Jimmy Deenihan confirmed the killing.

"Only one licence has been granted in recent years to allow the killing of one pine marten," he said. "In this particular instance, the licensee demonstrated that there was an on-going persistent problem that had not been solved by live capture and removal. There was also a public health concern as the affected premises housed a food wholesaler."

Exact numbers of pine martens are unknown but estimates suggest that the total Irish population is just 2,700 or less.

 ACTION ALERTS 

Join us in urging the NPWS to reject any future applications for licences to kill the rare pine marten species.

Wildlife Licensing Unit
National Parks & Wildlife Service
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Ely Place, Dublin 2
Tel: 01 888 3289
Email: wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie
CC: jimmy.deenihan@oireachtas.ie

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05. Licence to kill a pine marten granted despite protected status

TheJournal.ie 5th May 2014

A licence to kill a rare, protected animal was granted by the National Parks & Wildlife Service despite the pine marten’s protected status.

The NPWS gave permission to a business owner to kill the mammal as they were able to demonstrate there was an ongoing persistent problem.

There have been calls this week for no further licences to be granted.

"Other non-lethal options are available," TD Maureen O’Sullivan told TheJournal.ie. "The NPWS should not entertain any further applications for licences. If the animal’s natural behaviour of urinating or defecating is disruptive, they can be trapped and relocated or the site can be made impenetrable".

O’Sullivan set down a parliamentary question for the Minister with responsibility Jimmy Deenihan recently.

He explained that only one licence has been granted in recent years.

"The pine marten is protected in Ireland by both national and EU legislation. Under the Irish Wildlife Acts it is an offence, except under licence, to capture or kill a pine marten, or to destroy or disturb its resting places. Once rare, the species has spread widely in Ireland in the past 30 years," he explained.

"In this particular instance, the licensee demonstrated that there was an ongoing persistent problem that had not been solved by live capture and removal. There was also a public health concern as the affected premises housed a food wholesaler."

He noted that there is a need for practical advice and guidelines to deal with pine marten "in a manner that is consistent with conservation goals".

Last year, a booklet on how to keep them out of game and poultry pens was produced by his department and the Vincent Wildlife Trust.

The groups are working together again this year to develop an information leaflet on how to keep pine martens from setting up home in residential properties. It is due to be published in the coming months.

The Vincent Wildlife Trust in Ireland held a pine marten day in Galway on Thursday where 50 enthusiasts heard from experts on the mammals.

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06. Snared fox was "crying like a child"

A fox found "crying like a child" was rescued and released from a cruel wire snare.

The fox was discovered by a man out walking his dog and on seeing the distressed creature, he called his son for help.

The son rushed to the scene with a pliers and proceeded to free the fox.

"The fox was crying like a child in pain," he told ICABS. "I snipped at the wire which was wound around the fox's abdomen behind his front paws. He was biting at us and took my glove off my left hand. This kept him busy as we manoeuvred his sodden and bloody fur away from the wire. Eventually the pliers snapped the wire and the fox ran away. He headed to some bushes and could be seen for about 10 minutes before vanishing."

ICABS commends these two men for their compassionate response to the desperate plight of this fox and for saving the creature from suffering and certain death. We have brought the incident to the attention of Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, as part of an appeal to ban snares in Ireland.

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07. Michael Noonan thinks "coursing is not an issue"

When ICABS Director Aideen Yourell met Finance Minister Michael Noonan in the run-up to this month's elections, she challenged him on the government's shameful failure to ban bloodsports, including hare coursing.

Minister Noonan's blunt response? "Coursing is not an issue".

Minister Noonan ignores the fact that a majority of Irish people want this disgusting bloodsport banned. By not recognising coursing as an issue, he is also turning a blind eye to disgusting video footage filmed by ICABS in his Limerick constituency. It shows hares running for their lives and being hit and mauled by greyhounds at Limerick Racecourse. See https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL741E0B6DA3CBB057

 ACTION ALERT 

Make your voice heard. Contact Minister Noonan now and tell him that hare coursing is indeed an issue. Make it clear that you want to see his Fine Gael party respecting the wishes of the electorate and banning coursing and all bloodsports.

Minister Michael Noonan
Department of Finance
Merrion Street
Dublin 2
Email: michael.noonan@oireachtas.ie,minister@finance.gov.ie
Telephone: 01 604 5626
Fax: 01 618 4504

Sign our petition - Save Irish hares from cruel coursing

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08. Thank you for supporting anti-cruelty protest on May 16th

ICABS thanks everyone who supported the anti-cruelty protest outside Simon Coveney's "animal welfare" conference in Dublin Castle this month.

There was a fantastic turn-out and we were very happy to meet so many old and new friends. Among those present on the day were anti-bloodsports TD Maureen O'Sullivan and Clare Daly as well as Noel Gregory, brother of the late Tony Gregory TD.

During the protest, ICABS distributed "Ireland's cruel blood sports" information leaflets to passers-by and displayed our anti-bloodsports placards for thousands of passing pedestrians and motorists to see.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped send a strong message to Minister Coveney that his animal welfare legislation is entirely inadequate and resulting in animals continuing to suffer in Ireland's worsts acts of cruelty.

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09. How can we talk about animal welfare and condone cruelty?

A report by ICABS President, Maureen O'Sullivan TD who attended the recent "animal welfare" conference in Dublin Castle and afterwards joined the protestors outside calling for an end to all forms of cruelty to animals.

How can we talk about animal welfare and condone the mauling, tossing, injury of hares, terriers involved in a most cruel 'digging out' of foxes, snaring and shooting of badgers in the snare & leaving young badgers to die of starvation?

I went into the Animal Welfare Conference in Dublin Castle on Friday, organised by the Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney. The first session was chaired and facilitated by Sharon Ní Bheoláin. The discussion at the first session was mainly about the welfare of dogs, cats, enforcement. Sharon who was directing the questions then posed the vital ones which had people protesting outside - the cruelty in practices like coursing with live hares, digging out of foxes, etc. The hunting fraternity in the audience were not pleased and referred to the 'extremists' outside.

I then joined the so-called 'extremists' outside, many of whom I know are very committed, caring people who dislike the way many animals are treated in this country.

How can we talk about animal welfare in one breath and in the next breath condone the mauling, tossing, injury of hares, terriers involved in a most cruel (even admitted as such by hunters) 'digging out' of foxes, snaring and shooting of badgers in the snare, (leaving young badgers to die of starvation) when other countries alternatives to the culling are being used effectively; fur farming; using large animals like tigers in circuses, illegal hunting, puppy farming.

Those are the causes the 'extremists' are highlighting and there was a really good attendance outside Dublin Caste.

How come the hunting fraternity were invited and the Irish Council against Blood Sports were not? To be taken up with the Minister.

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10. Kilkenny parish asked to stop publicising foxhunting

The parish of Dunnamaggin in County Kilkenny is being asked to stop presenting hunting as an activity for parishioners to take part in.

In a "Parish Christmas Letter" in December 2013, parish priest Fr Nicholas Flavin states: "In order to assist new residents to the parish and others who may not be aware of organisations in the parish, a list of organisations, a contact person and its activities are given below." Among the organisations listed are Kilmoganny Gun Club and Kilmoganny Hunt. The latter is affiliated to the Irish Masters of Foxhounds Association whose member hunts terrorise, chase and kill foxes across Ireland.

Welcoming newcomers to the parish, Fr Flavin states in the letter: "It is hoped that you will integrate fully into the parish community and take an active part within the parish in whatever activity/activities attract you most."

 ACTION ALERT 

Ask parish priest Nicholas Flavin to stop suggesting hunting as an activity for parishioners to take part in. Tell him that hunting and all forms of cruelty to animals are sinful and contrary to the Catholic Catechism which makes it clear that 'it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer and die needlessly.'

Fr Nicholas Flavin
Parochial House
Dunnamaggin
Co Kilkenny
Tel: 056-7728173
Mobile: 087-22 57 498
Email: napflavin@eircom.net

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11. Online shopping website Fruugo thanked for removing glue traps

Online shopping website, Fruugo, has been thanked by ICABS for removing glue traps from sale.

The cruel traps were taken off its Irish website when the company was alerted to the fact that they are illegal here.

After being told about the suffering caused to animals caught in the traps, Fruugo admirably went one step further and "removed these products from all Fruugo territories".

The company's speedy and compassionate response to our appeal will save mice, rats and other creatures from terrible suffering. Animals caught in glue traps have been known to chew off their own limbs in a futile effort to escape. Others die of starvation or dehydration or suffocate when their faces become stuck to the glue.

Fruugo's global marketplace currently lists over a million products from retailers across Europe. Find out more at www.fruugo.com

 ACTION ALERT 

Please visit your local hardware stores, discount shops, pet supply outlets, builder provider stores, etc to make sure that these illegal traps are not being sold. If you spot glue traps (also known as glue boards) for sale, please contact ICABS immediately with the details and we will pass them on to the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Also, if you are aware of any company using glue traps, please get in touch with us now.

 ACTION ALERT 

Appeal to the UK government to follow Ireland's example and urgently introduce a ban on glue traps.

Please write now to:

Minister of State
Department of Environment, Farm and Rural Affairs
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JA

Email: defra.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk

 ACTION ALERT 

Appeal to Amazon to stop allowing the sale of glue traps on its website.

Email from: Amazon.co.uk website
Tel: 0800 496 1081 or +44 (0)207 084 7911 (UK)

Email from: Amazon.com website
Tel: 00 1-206-266-2992 (USA)

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

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

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12. Letters to the Editor

Help raise awareness about Ireland's animal cruelty issues - write letters to the editors of local and national newspapers to speak out against hare coursing, foxhunting, etc.

Gaping omission in new animal welfare legislation
Westmeath Topic
May 2014

In this week’s Topic, the updated animal welfare legislation was highlighted, and certainly there are new provisions to be welcomed, such as increased powers for authorised officers to investigate complaints of animal cruelty, and stricter penalties on convictions.

However, there is a gaping omission in this new legislation in that while the law against baiting of animals and dog fighting is strengthened, the use of live hares as lures for greyhounds in coursing is explicitly allowed, as is the hounding of foxes with packs of dogs and the digging out of foxes gone to ground, using terriers to flush them out - all perfectly legal as per this new 2014 legislation, replacing the old 1911 legislation, which we inherited from the UK, and which also exempted these barbaric practices. In the intervening 100 years, fox hunting has been outlawed in England, Scotland and Wales, while hare coursing is also banned in these jurisdictions and in Northern Ireland.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney had a golden opportunity to outlaw these cruel "sports" when framing this new Act, but his courage stopped short at protection for our vulnerable wild creatures. Hopefully we will not have to wait another century for an end to the persecution of our wildlife.

Aideen Yourell
Irish Council Against Blood Sports

Animals get a voice in Europe
Irish Independent, 30 May 2014

A major milestone has been achieved in the campaign for animal protection with the election to the European Parliament of a candidate standing for Holland's Party for the Animals (PvdD). Seven animal protection parties from around Europe had come together to promote a change in our overall attitude to animals, whether domestic, wild, laboratory-raised or farm livestock, and to seek representation in the European Parliament.

Among the alliance's objectives is the abolition of so-called cultural and traditional practices that cause immense suffering to animals, such as bull fighting, hare coursing, and fox hunting. Hopefully the presence of a strong voice for animals in the EU Parliament will hasten the end of these latter 'sports'.

For too long bulls have been tortured by men in garish costumes who stab them with razor-sharp lances and plunge swords into them. Anyone who objects is told that this is a cherished ancient custom.

And here in Ireland the capture and terrorising of hares for coursing, for human entertainment, has also had the banner of "tradition" wrapped around it.

Fox hunting too has latched on to the fig leaf of "culture", a label that softens its gory image despite the fact that it involves setting twenty or thirty hounds after one wild dog, all for an afternoon's human recreation.

The rising strength of the animal protection lobby in Europe is heartening, but the election of a Party for the Animals candidate will surely signal a new phase in the campaign to end blood sports in the EU.

John Fitzgerald
Callan, Kilkenny

Major milestone for animal protection in Europe
Irish Times, 30 May 2014

A major milestone has been achieved in the campaign for animal protection with the election to the European Parliament of a candidate standing for Holland’s Party for the Animals (PvdD). Seven animal protection parties from around Europe had come together to promote a change in our overall attitude to animals, whether domestic, wild, laboratory-raised, or farm livestock, and to seek Euro-parliamentary representation.

Among the alliance’s objectives is the abolition of so-called cultural and traditional practices that cause immense suffering to animals, such as bull fighting, hare coursing and fox hunting.

I hope the presence of a strong voice for animals in the Euro-parliament will hasten the end of these latter "sports" in particular, in addition to improving the lot of all animals in Europe and, ultimately, countries that trade with the EU. – Yours, etc,

John Fitzgerald
Lower Coyne Street, Callan, Co Kilkenny

Timely PR boost for cats
Irish Independent, 21st May 2014

I'm delighted that Tara the cat's heroic act in saving a Californian toddler from an attacking dog was caught on camera and has been viewed by millions worldwide. What a well-deserved and long-overdue PR boost for cats.

Throughout history cats have been maligned, misunderstood and persecuted by people who just didn't understand these unique creatures and their place in the scheme of things.

During the witch craze in Europe countless thousands of them were burned for being "familiars" of the alleged female dabblers in black or white magic.

In ancient Rome they were punished in accordance with a different but equally silly superstition. Unfortunately they are still suffering as a result of man's ignorance and inhumanity.

Today there are more than 200,000 feral cats in Ireland, thanks in large part to a failure on the part of some cat owners to spay or neuter them. They have little protection under anti-cruelty legislation, with trapping and killing of non-domestic cats an increasing source of concern to animal welfare groups.

Domestic and feral cats alike are forced to serve as bait in training sessions organised by dog fighting and hare coursing gangs, the animals' tougher skin deemed an advantage in teasing and blooding the dogs.

Cats deserve a break. Tara's high profile act of heroism may have grabbed the world headlines, but cats are beneficial to humans in other ways too.

They keep mice and rats at bay and, apart from being the most lovable companions, they bring comfort especially to people living alone.

They can literally help to preserve one's sanity.

While I'm sure all good doggies go to heaven, it wouldn't be much of a place if Tara and the other cats of this world didn't get in there too!

John Fitzgerald
Callan, Co Kilkenny

Hunting and rights
Irish Times, May 6, 2014

The issue of rights for walkers is back in focus, with landowners and ramblers arguing the toss over whose rights should be uppermost.

People walking dogs through fields or trekking across country to appreciate the scenery or to keep fit are deemed to pose a threat to landowners.

Why is it that the worst trespassers of all in rural Ireland are so often overlooked in this controversy?

I refer to the foxhunts that operate in the countryside in the winter months.

If somebody enjoying aerobic exercise or taking Fido for a walk can do harm, then how much more menacing to the rights of landowners is the prospect of horses and hounds encroaching on their property, in the process knocking down fences and stone walls, scattering livestock in all directions, and ripping up whole fields of crops?

It says something about the power of the hunting lobby (which includes prominent legal eagles, bankers, property developers and super-wealthy socialites) that the mayhem wrought by these relics of a bygone age – foxhunts – is airbrushed out of the whole access to the countryside debate. – Yours, etc,

John Fitzgerald,
Lower Coyne Street, Callan, Co Kilkenny

Badger culling tarnishes Ireland
Irish Examiner, May 6th, 2014

Ireland today operates in a highly competitive global market for agricultural produce and we cannot afford to be at any disadvantage. Yet we are one of the few countries to widely cull badgers.

Thankfully, there has been a drop in the incidence of bovine TB in the Republic of Ireland. However, there has also been a greater drop in the rate of bovine TB in Northern Ireland, where they have used improved farming measures, and not a single badger has been killed. This suggests that farming measures, which are also used in Ireland, have reduced the disease.

In terms of culling badgers, we are out of step with our neighbours, who are also our competitors

1. Scotland is free of bovine TB and hasn’t culled badgers.

2. Wales has reduced bovine TB by as much as Ireland, without culling badgers.

3. In Northern Ireland, where no badgers have been culled, the drop in bovine TB incidence has been greater than that south of the border.

4. In England, MPs voted overwhelmingly to halt badger culling in England, on April 13 this year, claiming it to be ineffective.

Bovine TB is a terrible disease and, if anything, we should put more taxpayers’ money into the TB-eradication programme and make Ireland TB-free, once and for all. The Department of Agriculture has been culling badgers for nearly 30 years and, after all that time, it has not eliminated bovine TB in cattle.

Our reputation as the ‘green isle’ is a priceless asset. Having an ecologically clean economy is an essential aspect of marketing Ireland abroad. Yet our green reputation will be threatened if it becomes widely known that we are systematically, and unnecessarily, destroying our remaining wildlife.

We are all familiar with dolphin-friendly tuna. It won’t take too much imagination for our competitors to introduce the label of ‘badger friendly beef’ as a marketing aid, leaving us at a disadvantage. An own goal waiting to happen.

Ireland’s reputation abroad is critical to our tourism industry: six million people visited Ireland in 2012. In addition, our reputation abroad is also critical for our beef industry: 90% of our beef production is for export, where we compete in an increasingly competitive world market. What price are we willing to pay, in terms of our green reputation, to continue with this outdated and ineffective practice?

Colm Ward
The View
Dunboyne Castle
Dunboyne, Co Meath

Smarting over killing of pine marten
Metro Herald, May 6, 2014

The recent revelation that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) issued a licence for the killing of a rare and protected pine marten exposes an act of cultural vandalism. The licence was granted earlier this year under Section 42 of the Wildlife Act to ‘control protected wild animals causing serious damage’. The damage which merited a death sentence? ‘Urinating/defecating or other damage to stock,’ the NPWS Licensing Unit stated in response to an enquiry from an animal welfare organisation.

Given that the pine marten is Ireland’s rarest native mammal, urinating/defecating are natural behaviours which the animal cannot avoid and non-lethal options are available (eg making the location impenetrable to wildlife), surely it would have been an act of logical thinking to refuse this application. With a state body permitting the murder of a pine marten and the expressed homicidal desire by Ireland’s shooting lobby to remove this animal from the protected animals list so that it can be shot for looking sideways at a game bird, Irish society is in danger of losing this animal from the countryside for the most banal of reasons.

No one should attach the epithet of vermin to a pine marten, one of our rarest and beautiful wild animals. Wildlife is well versed in balancing the relationship between the species. It is the arrogance of man that believes that somehow he can tame and control nature that has a negative impact on the very same workings of nature.

John Tierney,
Campaigns Director
Association of Hunt Saboteurs
PO Box 4734 Dublin 1

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13. Dail Questions and Answers

Question 14 - Answered on 17th April, 2014

Maureen O'Sullivan TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will impose time limits for hare coursing monitoring teams to report back to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in order for hare coursing reports to be drafted and published in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, TD: Hare coursing is administered by the Irish Coursing Club, a body set up under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minster for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Under the terms of the Wildlife Acts licences are required by the Irish Coursing Club on behalf of their affiliated clubs to facilitate the tagging and the capture of hares. Such licences are issued on an annual basis by my Department. Coursing meetings can only take place during the Open Season, between 26 September and 28 February of the following year.

Regional staff of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department attend coursing meetings, as resources allow, to monitor compliance with the conditions of the licences. These staff have a wide variety of functions relating to management of National Parks, the conservation of habitats, the protection of protected species and the enforcement of legislation under National laws and EU Regulations. Notwithstanding current staffing constraints, my Department will continue to monitor coursing meetings on an ongoing basis, as well as collating the monitoring reports.

Reports from staff are generally available for consideration within good time of the subsequent coursing season and delays have not been a problem in my Department's consideration of licensing. In these circumstances, I do not see a need to introduce specific time limits at this stage.

Question 23 - Answered on 17th April, 2014

Maureen O'Sullivan TD: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason behind the National Parks and Wildlife Service licensing unit granting licences to kill the pine marten; the reason non-lethal options are not available such as the trap and release of the animal in view of the fact that it is a protected species and Ireland's rarest mammal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr. Jimmy Deenihan, TD: The pine marten is protected in Ireland by both national and EU legislation. Under the Irish Wildlife Acts it is an offence, except under licence, to capture or kill a pine marten, or to destroy or disturb its resting places. Once rare, the species has spread widely in Ireland in the past 30 years.

Only one licence has been granted in recent years to allow the killing of one pine marten. In this particular instance, the licensee demonstrated that there was an on-going persistent problem that had not been solved by live capture and removal. There was also a public health concern as the affected premises housed a food wholesaler.

I recognise the need for practical advice and guidelines for dealing with pine marten in a manner that is consistent with conservation goals. As they have become more widespread, they can take up residence in places where they are not welcome to humans.

Last autumn, the Vincent Wildlife Trust and my Department collaborated on the development and publication of a leaflet which provides advice on how to keep pine martens out of game and poultry pens. Both organisations are again working together, this time to develop an information leaflet that will provide practical guidance for individuals to help them to prevent pine martens from taking up residence in their houses. This leaflet will be published in the coming months

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14. Campaign Quotes

"No creature should be terrorised in the name of 'sport'. It's cruel and unethical on every level. It's my belief that it is wrong to intentionally inflict pain on any being that can feel pain, full stop." Irish actress/Fair City cast member Rachel Pilkington, May 2014.

"Congratulations to Anja Hazekamp (Dutch Party for the Animals) on winning a European Parliament seat. @anjahazekamp Gefeliciteerd" a twitter message from ICABS to Anja Hazekamp, May 27, 2014.

"With many of Spain's younger generations battling 53 per cent youth unemployment and unable to afford bullfighting's relatively high ticket prices, it seems they are increasingly seeking their entertainment outside the high, whitewashed walls of Spain's bullrings. As far back as 2009, bullfighting was already shown to be most popular among Spain's over-45s: as Santi Moya, one unemployed Andalusian woman in her thirties, puts it, "for many young people, bullfighting is just not our thing". from Is it finally time for Spain to ban bull fighting?, The Independent, 23 May 2014

"In Colombia, most teenagers play Xbox or soccer or chase girls, not bulls. Across the country, from large cities to small towns, bulls once formed an integral part of annual celebrations. Today, the Spanish colonial tradition is disappearing amid sometimes violent protests, changing cultural norms and a struggling business model." from In Colombia, a 500-year-old bullfighting tradition must evolve or die, Miami Herald, March 10th, 2014

Laura Broxson from the National Animal Rights Association said regulations are not good enough. "That's ridiculous and completely unworkable," she said. "The majority of Irish people are not animal abusers and (Simon Coveney) is letting a minority dictate what happens in this country. It's simply not good enough." from "Coveney: No plans to ban fox-hunting or hare-coursing", BreakingNews.ie, 16 May 2014

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15. Petitions

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

Minister Coveney: Save Irish hares from cruel coursing
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/minister-simon-coveney-replace-hare-coursing-with-drag-coursing

Irish Government: Save foxes and dogs from horrific cruelty
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/irish-government-save-foxes-and-dogs-from-horrific-cruelty

Minister Simon Coveney: Ban ALL Tail Docking - No Exemptions
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/minister-simon-coveney-don-t-allow-hunters-to-cut-off-dogs-tails

Stop badger snaring cruelty NOW
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/irish-agriculture-minister-simon-coveney-stop-badger-snaring-cruelty-now Petition to Ban horrific Hare Coursing Cruelty in Ireland

Stop sponsoring hare coursing in Ireland
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-sponsoring-hare-coursing-in-ireland#

Protect the Irish Hare
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/protect-the-irish-hare

End Cruel Blood Sport of Fox Hunting in Ireland
http://forcechange.com/30176/end-cruel-blood-sport-of-fox-hunting-in-ireland/#gf_1

Limerick Racecourse: Stop hosting cruel hare coursing
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/limerick-racecourse-stop-hosting-cruel-hare-coursing

Coillte - Ban hunters from your forests
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/irish-forestry-board-ban-hunters-from-your-property

Drogheda Borough Council: Do not legalise urban 10 seater horse-drawn carriages in County Louth
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/drogheda-borough-council-do-not-legalise-urban-10-seater-horse-drawn-carriages-in-county-louth

National Trust - stop allowing hunters and terriermen on your land
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-national-trust-the-national-trust-stop-supporting-illegal-hunting-on-national-trust-land-2

Ban Fur Sales on eBay
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/ban-fur-sales-on-ebay#

Stormont Northern Ireland Assembly: Ban Fox and Stag Hunting in Northern Ireland
http://www.change.org/petitions/stormont-northern-ireland-assembly-ban-fox-and-stag-hunting-in-northern-ireland#

Ban Torturous Hanging of Greyhounds in Spain
http://forcechange.com/24603/#gf_17

Dunnes Stores: Lift Ban on Animal Charities Fundraising
http://www.change.org/petitions/dunnes-supermarket-end-your-ban-on-animal-groups
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/145/615/024/lift-ban-on-animal-charities-fundraising-at-dunnes-stores/

Arts Council of Ireland: Stop funding animal circuses
http://www.change.org/petitions/arts-council-of-ireland-stop-funding-animal-circuses

Stop the EU funding bullfighting
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/dacian-ciolos-european-agriculture-minister-stop-the-eu-funding-bullfighting#

Stop Torturing Bears: End Bear Bile Farming In China
http://forcechange.com/64173/stop-torturing-bears-end-bear-bile-farming-in-china

Add report option "Animal Abuse" on Facebook
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/add-report-option-animal-abuse-on-facebook.html

End Bullfighting in France
http://forcechange.com/94113/end-bullfighting-in-france

STOP Spain's cruel and barbaric Toro de la Vega
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-toro-de-la-vega-2013

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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 the Paypal button at www.banbloodsports.com to make a donation or send a cheque made payable to ICABS to ICABS, PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland. Thank you very much.

Top ways you can help the campaign

Top ways you can help the campaign
•	Join our email list and respond to our Action Alerts
•	Become a campaign supporter and make a donation to help fund our efforts
•	Contact your local politicians and ask them to support a ban on blood sports
•	Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Youtube
•	Sign up for our free text alert service and receive occasional campaign updates to your phone
•	Link to our website and display one of our banners
•	Monitor blood sports meetings in your area and provide us with photos, video and reports.
•	Write a letter to your local newspaper about the cruelty of blood sports
•	Sign and collect signatures for our petitions
•	Organise a fund-raiser to help raise funds for the campaign
•	Set up an online anti-blood sports group to cover your area.
•	Download, print and display our posters and leaflets
•	Set up an information stand at your school/library/youth group/adult group, etc
•	Introduce your friends to our website and encourage them to get involved.
•	Simply keeping your ear to the ground. about any blood-sport related incidents in your area.

Keep hunters off your land

Make it known publicly that your land is off-limits to hunters. Place a preservation notice in your local newspaper now. Here is a sample notice that you may wish to use: "Take notice that all my lands at [Insert address(es) of land] are private and preserved day and night. All forms of hunting and shooting are strictly prohibited. Trespassers will be prosecuted. Signed [Insert name(s) of landowner]" For more information, click on Farmers at www.banbloodsports.com

Tune in to the ICABS Channel

Footage of blood sport cruelty and the humane alternatives can be viewed on the ICABS Channel on Youtube - www.youtube.com/icabs or by clicking on "Videos" at www.banbloodsports.com Please ask your local TD/Senator to view our videos and back a blood sports ban.

Animal Voice - Subscribe

To receive "Animal Voice" by email every month, please send "Animal Voice - Subscribe" to info@banbloodsports.com

Make a donation to ICABS

Please consider making a donation to ICABS. For more details, please click on the button below or follow this link to find out how to become a campaign supporter. Thank you.

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