|
Animal Voice, Issue 01, January 2015
Receive Animal Voice by email every month - Subscribe Now
01. Protests against cruel hare coursing - Friday and Monday
01. Protests against cruel hare coursing - Friday and Monday
Please join one or both of the upcoming protests against cruel hare coursing:
Tomorrow Friday, January 30th from 12.30 to 2pm
and
Monday February 2nd from 12 midday to 2pm
Be there for the hares and greyhounds - both victims of this cruel bloodsport.
02. Coursing cruelty season culminates at Clonmel this weekend
This weekend, the hare coursing cruelty season culminates in the national finals of live hare baiting (coursing) at Powerstown Park, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, with three days of barbarism, where defenceless, timid hares, cruelly snatched from the wild, are forced to run as live bait before greyhounds, compliments of the Minister for Arts Heritage, Heather Humphreys, who last August licensed the coursers to grab up to 5,000 hares from the wild, and Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney who refused to outlaw the vile practice when the new Animal Welfare Act came into being in 2012.
Hare coursing had to be specifically exempted from prosecution in the Act, Minister Coveney obviously recognising that it is cruel, yet shamefully, Ministers Coveney and Humphreys, in pandering to a minority of animal abusers, facilitate this mediaeval barbarism, which is outlawed in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Hares Still Being Injured And Killed Despite Muzzles
Hares continue to be injured and killed at these diabolical events, despite the introduction of muzzles in 1993, and every single hare is subjected to horrendous fear and stress, beginning with its capture in a net from the wild to the day it is forced to run for its life in front of two greyhounds. See video footage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXatH8LmWjw and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etQ-JCtJy9Y
Every year, after the hare baiting season is over, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports requests National Parks & Wildlife Service reports on meetings monitored, and the last reports received (2013/14) revealed that monitoring was down significantly on previous years, due we understand to the fact that National Parks wildlife rangers are no longer paid for weekend work, when hare coursing usually takes place. In a new departure, the coursers, who are required to make returns to the National Parks & Wildlife Service, detailing numbers of hares mauled, injured and killed, euphemistically describe hares being struck and mauled by greyhounds as “requiring assistance”. For example, at Doon & District, 4 hares “required assistance” and were put down by the vet because of their injuries; at Dundalk and Dowdallshill, 6 hares “required assistance”, 4 were euthanised by vet and 3 died of “natural causes”, and in Tradaree in November 2013, the coursers claimed that 6 hares “required assistance”, resulting in 3 dying of “natural causes” though no post mortems were carried out to establish cause of deaths, while at the same meeting, the National Parks ranger stated that 13 hares were struck by dogs, and 3 were “found dead in the paddock” the next day. And at Gorey, the National Parks ranger cited 4 hares hit by dogs, with 2 dying of their injuries, while the coursers cited 3 hares “requiring assistance” and 1 put down, which points to the fact that we can expect the coursers to minimise the number of victims. In another case, New Ross, the National Parks ranger cited 14 hares struck by dogs, while coursers claimed that only 11 hares were struck.
Coursers Intimidate Wildlife Ranger
Meanwhile at Liscannor, a ranger was “intimidated” when she asked to check the hare paddock, and at Mallow, when a time was arranged with the National Parks ranger for a supervised release of hares, the coursers failed to turn up and refused to provide a contact phone number. Failure to cooperate with the NPWS ranger is a breach of the licence conditions, yet a blind eye was turned to this by the head honchos in the National Parks and no action was taken against either club, despite these breaches which Minister Heather Humphreys said would “not be tolerated”.
At Fermoy, a vet failed to attend to a hare which had been hit, with the ranger stating: “…I asked that the vet look at the hit hare but he did not come.” It is a condition of the hare netting licence that a vet be in attendance at coursing meetings.
Irish Coursing Club Recommends Killing Greyhounds
In another revelation, an internal document on the website of the Irish coursing club, the governing authority for this hare baiting activity, advises greyhound owners to put down dogs past their usefulness, rather than rehoming; it also instructs “dispatchers” (those who wring the necks of injured hares) to make sure they are well away from public view. The coursing clubs also include a dictat that unauthorised photography is strictly forbidden, something ICABS monitors fell foul of last February (2014) at Clonmel when they were dragged from the venue for daring to film terrified hares running for their lives. At another venue, Millstreet, last month, where coursing was held in a public park, the coursers told us to stop filming, saying that if we were in any other venue: “Ye would have the sh*t kicked out of ye”.
It is way past time for this barbarism to be banned and for our legislators to get their heads out of the sand and show a smidgen of compassion for our vulnerable persecuted wildlife.
03. Kill greyhounds, don't rehome them - Callous advice from Irish Coursing Club
The Irish Coursing Club is callously advising greyhound owners to destroy unwanted greyhounds instead of rehoming them. In a damning internal report, uncovered by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports, owners are advised: "Do not give away unwanted greyhounds. It is far better to put them painlessly to sleep."
What constitutes putting a dog "painlessly to sleep" is not specified in the document.
Entitled "A Summary of Directives, Instructions and Guidance Notes Issued by the Executive Committee of the Irish Coursing Club to Club Secretaries, Control Stewards Judges and Slippers" it conveys the contempt with which coursers regard greyhounds incapable of winning money for their owners. Dogs "that have run a number of times during the season" without success are branded "no-hopers".
The document also reveals the use of injured greyhounds in hare coursing. In a section headed "Running Of Injured Greyhounds", it states "As the implementation of a rule to cater for the running of injured greyhounds in order to qualify for prize money would be difficult, the Executive Committee ask that the stewards of meetings use their judgement in relation to the matter."
The coursers' Instructions and Guidance document leaves no doubt that both hares and greyhounds are victims of this cruel bloodsport. The time is now for the government to ban this shameful activity.
04. Drug problem haunting Irish greyhound industry
The Irish greyhound industry is haunted by a drug problem and the British greyhound racing authority is warning English buyers not to purchase Irish greyhounds because they are drug-ridden.
In the Dail last month, Mick Wallace TD raised the issue of doping and lack of transparency in greyhound racing with Tom Hayes, Minister for State, Dept. of Agriculture (who is a greyhound racing fan and was recently pictured at a coursing meeting).
Mick Wallace wasn’t happy with the Minister’s response, saying he ignored his questions.
On his blog, Mick Wallace, stated: “This week, I got an opportunity to question the Ministry of Agriculture regarding some of the problems facing the greyhound industry. Regulation has generally been poor, particularly in the area of drug testing - failure to make public the results of all doping tests, positive or negative, inordinate delays from the testing centre in Limerick, and the failure to deal strongly with the dogs and trainers found guilty. The Minister for State, Deputy Tom Hayes, refused to answer two of my questions – 1. Why was a conflict of interest tolerated, whereby the Chairman of the Control Board had dogs in training with someone who has been found guilty of doping greyhounds? 2. Are greyhounds tested for the new drug, stanozolol, in Ireland? The Minister ignored my questions. I wonder why?"
During the exchange in the Dail, Mick Wallace said that because of Ireland’s reputation for doping racing greyhounds, English buyers were being warned by the British greyhound racing authority not to buy Irish dogs because of the drug problem, stating: “As the Minister of State is aware, in September the greyhound board in Britain made a statement warning English buyers against purchasing dogs in Ireland because they were drug ridden. How bad is this?”
The full Dail exchange may be viewed on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1F3LYF8UWA Some significant extracts are:
- "Mick Wallace: The Indecon report stated the Irish Greyhound Board was unfit for purpose...There are some serious conflict of interests, where the chairman of the control board has dogs in training with a guy who has been found to be guilty of doping dogs. How in God's name can this be allowed happen?"
- "Mick Wallace: As the Minister of State is aware, in September the greyhound board in Britain made a statement warning English buyers against purchasing dogs in Ireland because they were drug ridden. How bad is this?"
- "Tom Hayes: We need to be very careful in terms of drawing a line and saying this industry is full of people who are breaking the law. That is what is being said and that is the perception. I attend many tracks up and down the country and several functions and I hear this all the time."
- "Tom Hayes: This industry is subsidised by taxpayers in a major way."
- "Mick Wallace: The view on the street is that it is the bigger trainers and owners who are the most guilty in this area [greyhound doping]...The big boys are getting away with murder and being shown favouritism..."
- "Mick Wallace: Does the Minister of State know if there are tests for stanozolol, a new drug on the market, in greyhounds? [Question unanswered by Minister of State Tom Hayes]."
05. Hunting knife removed from Donedeal
An advert for a hunting knife has been removed from DoneDeal.ie after ICABS reported it as being in breach of the company's Firearms and Knives Policy.
The hunting knife, described as having an 8 inch blade and an alligator skin sheath, was offered for sale as the seller said his wife "doesn't want such items in the house".
Donedeal's Firearms and Knives Policy states: "We do not allow ads for any type of firearms, knives, swords, weapons, fireworks or other related goods (including replicas) on DoneDeal.ie. If ads are posted on DoneDeal.ie in breach of this policy we reserve the right to remove them from the Website without giving notice to the advertiser or refunding any fee paid."
If you spot an ad for a hunting knife on Donedeal, please click on the "Report Ad" button.
06. Foxes run for their lives as hunt welcomed to Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle in County Mayo recently welcomed a hunt on to its grounds to hunt foxes, it has been reported. According to a 16th January article in the Irish Field, Ashford Castle general manager Niall Rochford "entertained the visitors to mulled wine to get them started".
The visitors to the castle and 5 star hotel were the North Galway Foxhounds and their plan was to "hunt the woods around the estate".
They first sought out foxes behind the castle's farmyard (one of the locations of the film The Quiet Man) and the hounds soon picked up the scent of a fox near the castle's school of falconry.
Later, in Kinlough Woods on the 350-acre Ashford estate, "hounds had a fox quickly away who gave the followers a fast spin through the woods".
The fox, in a desperate bid to escape from the pack of hounds, ran in a circle before then "running all the way to the furthest point of the lake shore". The unfortunate animal ended up cowering in a stick pile; his fate after that is not revealed.
The hunters then proceeded looking for foxes in a wood alongside the hotel's golf course.
The report outlines that many of the hunters availed of a "special overnight rate, with the option of having hunting livery valeted ready for the next day."
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is appealing to the owners of Ashford Castle - UK-based Red Carnation Hotels - to show compassion for Irish wildlife and make the castle grounds off-limits to foxhunters.
In a letter to Red Carnation Hotels Managing Director, Jonathan Raggett, we stated: "Accommodating and facilitating a bloodsport on this property is surely incompatible with your company's core values and modern image. It also risks repelling those in the majority who abhor cruelty to animals."
We added that for many visitors, seeing a fox traversing the castle's vista would undoubtedly be a thrilling and memorable sight and that the Ashford foxes should be protected, not persecuted.
ACTION ALERT
Please join us in appealing to Red Carnation Hotels to make Ashford Castle off-limits to foxhunters.
Jonathan Raggett
Niall Rochford
07. Fox pursued by 37 hounds for over 13 miles
A fox was pursued for over 13 miles during a hunt in County Cork last month, it has been revealed. According to an Irish Field report about a pre-Christmas Duhallow hunt, the unfortunate fox was disturbed near Churchtown and chased through a bog and a wood before being “marked to ground” near a golf club.
In foxhunting, “marking to ground” refers to the point when the pack of hounds chase the exhausted fox into an earth or drain. This is typically followed by the arrival of a terrierman who sends a terrier down the hole to attack and corner the fox until the clay is dug away from above, before the fox is killed.
The Irish Field report refers to the persecuted fox as “a smashing dog fox who set his mask for the Bog of Annagh”. The pack of 37 dogs chased the fox through Ardglass Wood and towards Dromina village “before swinging back and marking their fox to ground near Charleville Golf Club”.
The report outlines that the fox’s ordeal lasted for a distance of 13.2 miles, eight miles of which was covered in one hour and 40 minutes.
It goes on to detail how during a Scarteen hunt after Christmas, a pack of hounds “absolutely flew” after a fox over a distance of 6 miles in 35 minutes.
Sign our petition: "Irish Government: Save foxes and dogs from horrific cruelty"
Sign our “Ban Blood Sports in Ireland” petition
Please join us in appealing to the Minister for Agriculture to give wild animals the same protection that is given to domestic animals. Tell the Minister that since all animals are capable of suffering, all animals should be protected from cruelty. Demand the removal of an exemption for foxhunting from Ireland's Animal Health and Welfare Act.
Simon Coveney, TD
Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie
Contact the Taoiseach and Tanaiste. Ask them to show compassion for foxes and hares and ban hunting and coursing.
An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny
An Tanaiste, Joan Burton
Appeal to all Irish politicians
Please join us in telling the Irish Government that it is now time to replace foxhunting with the humane alternative - drag hunting.
Drag hunting sees the hounds chasing an artificial lure instead of a live animal. This form of "hunting" is already practised successfully by a few groups in Ireland. In a modern and civilised country like Ireland, there should be no place for foxhunting, particularly when a transition to drag hunting would be simple.
Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to express their opposition to this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too.
Write to your TD at:
Write to your Senator at:
08. Dublin Coach's shameful hare coursing offer
Do you travel on Dublin Coach? Did you know that the company has a shameful connection to cruel hare coursing. The commuter coach business is offering a bus service to the national hare coursing cruelty festival in Clonmel.
An ad for Dublin Coach - run by coursing enthusiast John O'Sullivan - says "Are you going to the coursing? Get to Clonmel in luxury and we'll take you right up to the turnstiles." Click here to see the ad.
"Coaches arrive in Clonmel approximately one hour before coursing commences and will depart one hour after coursing finishes," it adds.
In an Irish Examiner report in 2013, O'Sullivan was quoted as saying "We have been coursing all our lives — it’s our main interest — and we plan to support this [coursing coach] initiative and try to make it work. We run a luxury coach service around Ireland and, in this case, our emphasis is on providing a high quality service to get people to and from the national [hare coursing] meeting."
The newspaper report also outlined that a coursing DVD of the "day’s action" would be shown on the buses on the return journey.
Last August, Dublin Coach agreed a 5-year partnership with the Irish Greyhound Board (which has overall control of greyhound racing and hare coursing), becoming the board's "transport partner", offering free buses from Dublin and Limerick to greyhound races and sponsoring racing.
O'Sullivan also runs QuickTours.ie and is the owner of QuickPark carpark near Dublin Airport - which offers free greyhound racing tickets to those parking there.
ACTION ALERT
If John O'Sullivan's involvement in hare coursing would make you choose alternatives to Dublin Coach, QuickTours and QuickPark, please contact the companies now and let them know.
Dublin Coach / QuickTours
QuickPark
09. Budget Travel thanked for removing bullfighting references
A big thank you to Irish travel company, Budget Travel, for removing bullfighting references from its website.
After an ICABS appeal, in which we highlighted the cruelty involved, Budget deleted three references to bullfighting.
In a tweet, the company stated: "Thank you for bringing that to our attention, we will make sure to remove that today."
Thumbs up to Budget Travel for its compassionate response.
Find out more about Budget Travel and its holiday offers at www.budgettravel.ie
Budget Travel joins a growing list of companies which have responded positively to ICABS appeals and removed references to bullfighting or bullrings. These include American Airlines, EasyJet, Jet2holidays, Marriott International, Hilton Hampton, Ebookers, Club Travel, Abbey Travel, Sunways, Low Cost Holidays.ie, Travel Department, Cancun Holidays Information Center, Co-op Travel, Ultimate Travel, No Fly Cruising, City Breaks 101, Original Travel, Escape Trips, Charter Travel, NY.T.Roma Hotel, Exclusive GP, Just Resorts, IceLolly.com, Burleigh Travel, Abercrombie & Kent, Holiday Transfers, Iglu Cruise, Oliver's Travel's, StagWeb, Joe Walsh Tours, AlphaRooms.com and Osprey Holidays.
10. Justice Minister questioned about hunt "blatantly ignoring legislation"
ICABS President, Maureen O'Sullivan TD has questioned the Minister for Justice about her views regarding "the recent report of the Ward Union blatantly ignoring legislation outlawing the hunting of stags at Clonmahon House in County Meath as confirmed by video evidence and a complaint to Trim Garda station".
Question 24 - Answered on 15 January 2015
Maureen O'Sullivan, TD (Dublin Central, Independent)
To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views regarding the recent report of the Ward Union blatantly ignoring legislation outlawing the hunting of stags at Clonmahon House in County Meath as confirmed by video evidence and a complaint to Trim Garda station; the measures she will take to ensure that the law is upheld and that her Department is not being undermined by the hunters claiming they accidentally come across stags.
Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the matter referred to by the Deputy is currently under investigation by Gardaí at Trim Garda Station and any breaches of legislation which may come to light will be properly pursued. As the matter remains under investigation the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the specific issues raised.
ACTION ALERT
According to the Wildlife Amendment Act 2010, "a person who hunts deer with two or more dogs shall be guilty of an offence." If you reside in the area where the Ward Union operates, please familiarise yourself with the Wildlife Amendment Act 2010 and report any breaches to the Gardai.
For the phone numbers of Garda stations, please visit: http://www.garda.ie/Stations/Default.aspx
11. Irish Times: Ward Union under investigation
Ward Union under investigation for alleged breach of hunting law Irish Times, Sunday, January 18, 2015
Video evidence said to be part of complaint as hunters ‘accidentally come across stags’
Gardaí in Trim, Co Meath, are investigating claims of a breach of legislation outlawing the hunting of stags, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has confirmed.
She told Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan that “any breaches of legislation which may come to light will be properly pursued”.
But she said in a written parliamentary reply to the Dublin Central TD that “as the matter remains under investigation the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment on the specific issues raised”.
Ms O’Sullivan had asked the Minister her view on a report that the Ward Union hunt had been “blatantly ignoring legislation outlawing the hunting of stags at Clonmahon House in County Meath”.
She said it was confirmed by video evidence and a complaint was made to Trim Garda station.
Ms O’Sullivan had also asked the measures the Minister would take to “ensure that the law is upheld and that her department is not being undermined by the hunters claiming they accidentally come across stags”.
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/ward-union-under-investigation-for-alleged-breach-of-hunting-law-1.2070211
12. Urge GAA club and church to reject foxhunt-organised fundraiser
A Wexford church and GAA club are being urged to reject a fundraiser organised by a foxhunt.
Rathangan Parish Church Restoration Fund and St Anne's GAA club are set to benefit from the Killinick Harriers "hunt canter" event.
Despite being made aware of the animal suffering caused by foxhunters, a local parish priest has previously dismissed calls for the church to reject foxhunt-organised fundraisers. Back in 2009, the priest praised the hunt as "noted local fundraisers" and said he was "happy to accept" their donation. A photograph which appeared in a hunting publication at the time showed a priest standing next to a pack of hounds and shaking hands with one of the mounted hunters.
The latest foxhunt fundraiser ride is to take place in February over a 10-mile course, starting out from Rathangan Church.
It is being publicised by St Anne's GAA club as "suitable for all" and on the Wexford GAA website alongside a photo showing a pack of hounds and a hunter on horseback blowing a horn.
The hunt in question - the Killinick Harriers - is responsible not only for terrorising wildlife but also for the violent savaging of a cat. An article in the Wexford People some years ago revealed that a beloved family pet was "torn to pieces by the hounds" while they were on the trail of an unfortunate fox. The traumatised homeowner described how the dogs "came up the driveway and pinned the cat against the garage door and massacred it". The side of her house was left splattered with blood.
A report in the Irish Field outlined that during another Killinick Harriers hunt, "27 hounds found a fox almost immediately" and chased him towards the main Rosslare road before he turned and was pursued back towards a canal.
Cruelty and the Catechism: The cruelty of foxhunting is clearly condemned in the Catechism. According to paragraph 2418, "it is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer and die needlessly." Paragraph 2416, meanwhile, states the following: "Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals."
ACTION ALERT
Appeal to St Anne's GAA club and Rathangan Parish to show compassion for Irish wildlife and reject fundraisers organised by foxhunting groups.
Email: wexfordgaa@eircom.net
Rev Martin Byrne
13. Louth-based company removes fox fur footwear from shop
A company based in County Louth has removed fox fur boots from its online shop after ICABS highlighted the cruelty of the fur industry.
Holy Cow's "100% Handmade Funky Moccasins", comprised cow leather, pig skin and a trim at the top made from "Genuine Fox Fur".
In a message to the company, ICABS outlined that in the fur industry, foxes suffer an appalling fate. They are kept permanently confined in cramped cages and eventually killed by anal electrocution.
14. Respa beds owner and county hurler at foxhunt
Among those taking part in a recent fox hunt in the midlands were Westmeath county hurler Philip Gilsenan and Tosh Kellett, the owner of Meath-based bed company, Respa Beds
According to a 2nd January Irish Field report about the Ballymacad Foxhounds, "the [foxhunt] meet at Seamus Reilly’s Hurler’s Rest pub near Clonmellon is close to Brownstown Hurling Club, which has won three intermediate county championships in the last five years. One of its stars, Westmeath county hurler Philip Gilsenan, was mounted on a fine 17hh bay that carried him in style throughout the day."
The report also revealed that "Joint-master Tosh Kellett, owner of Respa Beds, was at the meet but his 160 staff in Oldcastle had their foot to the boards fulfilling a rush order for 250 mattresses for hotel clients in Britain."
It went on to outline that during the hunt, several foxes were chased.
- One fox was terrorised by hounds who "hunted at speed for 30 minutes" before they "eventually marked their fox to ground in Brownstown Bog".
- Elsewhere, hounds were "spoiled for choice as foxes headed in different directions. Two were marked to ground."
- Later, the pack of hounds "found a fox in one of the many small woods" and chased him "from hill to hill, keeping close to him". This fox too went to ground "with hounds marking him in fine voice".
In foxhunting, "marking to ground" refers to the point when the pack of hounds chase the exhausted fox into an earth or drain. This typically precedes the arrival of a terrierman who sends a terrier down the hole to attack and corner the fox until the clay is dug away from above.
A previous report in hardcore hunting magazine Earth Dog, Running Dog outlined more sickening cruelty to foxes during a Ballymacad hunt. One particular fox was "hunted hard" for half an hour by hounds that were "really pushing him". When this terrified creature tried to find refuge underground, the hunt's terrierman was summoned to carry out what was described as a "nice little dig". Nets were placed around the exits to the hole and a terrier was sent in to violently confront the cornered creature. It attacked for 15 minutes until the fox came running out "like a runaway train" to meet its death.
During the same hunt, hounds pushed a vixen into a "tight spot under a stone wall". When escape routes were again blocked, another terrier was sent in and savaged her to death.
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.
15. Shameful animal cruelty in Millstreet's town park
Hares were forced to run for their lives at a shameful display of animal cruelty in Millstreet, County Cork this month. Irish Council Against Blood Sports monitors were present at Millstreet Town Park to witness the first of a two-day coursing meeting which saw dozens of hares being used as live bait for dogs.
Pairs of greyhounds were unleashed close to the goalposts of the park's GAA pitch to chase down the terrorized hares. Video footage filmed by ICABS shows the creatures desperately trying to escape.
The cruelty event attracted just 150 or so people - a low attendance which reflects dwindling support for the activity which a majority of Irish people want outlawed. It is already illegal in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
The Millstreet coursers clearly didn't want the plight of the hares being recorded. Several tried to stop the filming of their disgusting "sport". "Why don't you go somewhere else?" a man identifying himself as a member of Millstreet Town Park Committee asked, before adding: "Because you'd have the s**t kicked out of you."
Petitions calling for an end to cruel hare coursing in Millstreet Town Park have been signed by thousands of people in Ireland and around the world.
The calls are being supported by locals who are not only opposed to the cruelty but who strongly object to a large portion of their park being taken over by coursers in the weeks leading up to the meeting. There are also fears locally that the hosting of animal cruelty in the town park damages Millstreet's tourism potential.
Please join us as we push for an end to coursing in Millstreet and around Ireland.
Victims of hare coursing in Millstreet town park
Millstreet, Co Cork January 3/4 2014 Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet who declared that 5 hares were "not suitable for coursing". Hares that "require assistance" are hares that have been struck and mauled by the greyhounds.
Millstreet, Co Cork - January 4/5, 2013 10 hares hit, 5 pinned. Ranger noted that "1 hare died shortly after/upon release (vet had inspected this animal at end of coursing, Day 1, and said it appeared fit for release)". It was also noted that 1 hare died in escape overnight and another died in escape after being coursed. No post mortems were conducted on these hares.
Millstreet, December 30/31, 2011 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.”
Sign the petitions: Stop cruel hare coursing in Millstreet Town Park
Stop Live Hare Coursing 2-Day Event In Millstreet Public Town Park, County Cork
Send a tweet: @millstreet_town I support an end to cruel hare coursing in Millstreet Town Park
Leave a comment on the MIllstreet Facebook page
16. Appeal to Millstreet GAA: Join calls for end to coursing on football field
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is appealing to Millstreet GAA club to join calls for an end to the use of the field they use for their Gaelic games as an arena for cruel hare coursing.
The football and hurling pitch, located in Millstreet's town park, was this month used as a venue for coursing, in which hares - cruelly snatched from the wild and kept captive for weeks on end - are used as live bait for greyhounds. ICABS monitors present at the park witnessed greyhounds being released close to the field's goalposts to chase down the terrorized hares. Video footage we filmed shows the creatures desperately trying to escape.
Petitions calling for an end to cruel hare coursing in Millstreet Town Park have been signed by thousands of people in Ireland and around the world.
The calls to Millstreet Town Park Committee are being supported by locals who are not only opposed to the cruelty but who strongly object to a large portion of their park being taken over by coursers in the weeks leading up to the meeting. There are also fears locally that the hosting of animal cruelty in the town park damages Millstreet’s tourism potential.
ACTION ALERT
Appeal to Millstreet GAA club to join calls for an end to the use of the field they use for their Gaelic games as an arena for cruel hare coursing.
Email: secretary.millstreet.cork@gaa.ie
17. Millstreet TD urged to join calls for end to cruel hare coursing in town park
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is appealing to Millstreet-based TD, Aine Collins, to join calls for an end to cruel hare coursing in the town park.
The park's football and hurling pitch was this month used as a venue for coursing, in which hares - cruelly snatched from the wild and kept captive for weeks on end - are used as live bait for greyhounds. ICABS monitors present at the park witnessed hares desperately running for their lives.
Petitions calling for an end to cruel hare coursing in Millstreet Town Park have been signed by thousands of people in Ireland and around the world.
The calls to Millstreet Town Park Committee are being supported by locals who are not only opposed to the cruelty but who strongly object to a large portion of their park being taken over by coursers in the weeks leading up to the meeting. There are also fears locally that the hosting of animal cruelty in the town park damages Millstreet’s tourism potential.
"The hosting of this animal cruelty in Millstreet town park represents a major black mark against a town that has so many positive attractions and associations," we stated in an email in Deputy Collins. "Hare coursing subjects these delicate, timid creatures to an appalling ordeal. They are torn from their habitats in nets, manhandled into crates, kept in captivity for weeks/months and finally forced to run for their lives in front of pairs of greyhounds."
"It reflects poorly on Millstreet that this internationally condemned cruelty has been allowed to take place in your town," we added.
ACTION ALERT
Join our appeal to Aine Collins TD to speak out against hare coursing in Millstreet and back calls for an end to cruelty in the town park.
Deputy Aine Collins
18. Realex don't do it: Online payment company urged to reject coursing
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is renewing a call to online payment company, Realex, to show compassion for Irish hares and stop facilitating the sale of tickets to an animal cruelty event.
"We are surprised and disappointed to note that you are making the online sale of tickets to a hare coursing event possible by providing online payment services to the Irish Coursing Club," we stated in our appeal.
We told the company that coursing is one of Ireland's worst forms of cruelty and that hares violently netted from the wild are forced to run for their lives in front of greyhounds.
"This is a bloodsport which a majority of Irish people are opposed to and which is illegal in most countries including England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the United States," we pointed out.
We also provided them with information about the victims of coursing and highlighted that painful injuries suffered by hares include broken bones and dislocated hips.
ACTION ALERT
Please join us in urging Realex to show compassion for the hares and stop online payment services to coursers.
Colm Lyon
Email: colm.lyon@realexpayments.com,feedback@realexpayments.com,Tracy.Glynn@realexpayments.com
Tel (London): +44 (0) 20 3178 5370
19. "Useless Horses": The truth of Ireland's horse-racing cast-offs
The inconvenient truth of horse-racing cast-offs Horse trailers regularly pass through this country town, en route to the nearby racing track. For, as Europe's largest producer of thoroughbreds, isn't it always the season in Ireland?
And the Government plans to make the industry even bigger, recently increasing its budget to Irish horse racing from €43m to €54.5m, with pledges of further increases over the coming years.
"This is an investment," said Minister Coveney, citing how the industry is worth over a billion euro a year and provides employment to over 15,000 people.
Certainly, Coveney knows the business is booming. So much so that his Department of Agriculture has had to increase the number of licensed horse slaughter plants from just one in 2008 to more than five, to cope with demand.
For, as John Joe Fitzpatrick from Shannonside Foods in Straffan points out, 80pc of the 2,200 horses slaughtered at his purpose-built plant last year were thoroughbreds. And 60pc of them would have raced.
The horses are sent for disposal for numerous reasons - poor track performance, career-ending injuries, and temperament issues. "The factory is the cheapest way to dispose of a horse," Fitzpatrick explained.
But spare a thought for those who cannot profit from their "useless" horses, as United Farmers Association president Bernie Wall calls them, thanks to the 'unfit for human consumption' stamp on many horse passports.
"I'm sure the owners are quite distressed to do this for their animals," Wall added.
Which is debatable, judging by the number of slaughter trucks stuffed to the gills with last season's stud farm cast-offs that routinely pass my window. Many even have livestock trailers attached, where you can see the horses within, often with bits and bridles.
One particular vehicle caught my eye last summer. Not because it was so ugly; all cold steel, with only one thin slat three-quarters way up the side providing air on that stultifying hot day. No, it was the fact that the driver and his female passenger were dressed in casual equestrian gear.
I spotted the vehicle at a gas station a little later. There was no sign of the driver and his passenger. But the horses were still locked in that mean-spirited truck, because they were shaking it from side to side.
Eventually the driver and passenger emerged from the shop, licking on 99s. They got in and drove off with their cargo of useless horses.
It adds pathos to the legend 'Caution Horses', which is often emblazoned on those other equine carriers. For it could be read as a warning to horses that don't make the grade.
Because with Horse Racing Ireland's Joe Keeling's plan to use some of the increased government funding to give the Curragh a face-lift, you won't win any bets for guessing who will continue to pay the price for those who always make a profit.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/the-inconvenient-truth-of-horseracing-castoffs-30897805.html
20. Demand a ban on cruel hare coursing and foxhunting
Don't accept an "Animal Welfare" Bill that allows animal cruelty. Please contact all your local TDs, Senators and Councillors and urge them to push for a ban on hare coursing, foxhunting, digging-out and terrierwork.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear TD / Senator / Cllr,
I am writing to ask you to use your influence as a TD/Senator/Councillor to help bring blood sports to an end in Ireland.
As one of your constituents who is opposed to animal cruelty, I wish to see you working towards outlawing the blood sports of foxhunting, hare coursing, mink hunting and associated activities digging-out and terrierwork. These deplorable activities should have no place in modern Ireland.
Thank you. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]
21. Pig killed with chainsaw in Dunboyne housing estate
Neighbours horrified as pig slaughtered with chainsaw in Dunboyne housing estate Neighbours were shocked and horrified this weekend when a resident of a Co Meath housing estate allegedly slaughtered a pig with a chainsaw at his home.
The Meath Chronicle reports that the animal was killed in Kilbreena Crescent on Sunday as part of an eastern European festive tradition.
A resident, who witnessed the animal being pulled from a van outside the house, said that the pig had been held in the vehicle overnight before it was killed with the chainsaw.
“It was lunchtime yesterday, and everyone in the estate heard the pig screaming and the chainsaw going” she said.
“I know it’s part of their culture, but it’s not humane here.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes, I could hear the pig screaming and it’s like it knew what was happening.
“That might sound a bit dramatic, but if you heard it, it was dreadful”
Gardai were alerted to the incident by concerned neighbours, and arrived to find the animal dead at the scene.
Animal welfare inspector Kevin Cunningham told the Meath Chronicle:
“If somebody is keeping a pig legitimately in a garden in a housing estate, they are required by the Department of Agriculture to have a pig herd number and be inspected by the Department”.
Mr Cunningham also went on to note that the animal most likely came from an unknown source.
A garda source claimed that there was no evidence to suggest that the animal was killed on site, despite the neighbour's report, and that the matter is still under investigation.
22. Ministers questioned about chainsaw slaughter of screaming pig
Dublin North TD, Clare Daly, has questioned the Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Justice about the alleged chainsaw slaughter of a pig in a Dunboyne housing estate. As reported in the Sunday World last month, residents were shocked and horrified to hear the sounds of a chainsaw and a pig screaming. When Gardai arrived, they found the body of a dead pig.
Responding to Deputy Daly, both Ministers confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing.
Parliamentary Question 101 Clare Daly TD: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has taken any action under the Animal Health and Welfare Act to deal with the alleged chainsaw slaughter of a pig in a housing estate in Dunboyne in December 2014, to ensure that no such atrocities are committed again.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: (Simon Coveney) The incident in question is the subject of an investigation by An Gardai Siochana. In view of this, it is inappropriate for me to comment on the matter.
Parliamentary Question 121 Clare Daly TD: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality (Ms. Frances Fitzgerald) the outcome of a Garda investigation into the alleged chainsaw slaughter of a pig on a Dunboyne housing estate in December 2014.
Minister for Justice and Equality (Ms. Frances Fitzgerald): I am informed by the Garda authorities that the matter referred to by the Deputy is currently under investigation by Gardaí at Dunboyne Garda station.
The Deputy will appreciate that as the matter is under investigation it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
23. AlphaRooms.com thanked for removing bullfighting references from website
A big thank you to discount accommodation company AlphaRooms.com for removing references to bullfighting from its website.
Following an ICABS appeal, in which we highlighted the cruelty involved, the award-winning holiday company deleted suggestions to visit a bullring in Fuengirola and “bullfight celebrations” in Ronda.
Thumbs up to AlphaRooms.com for its compassionate response.
AlphaRooms is one of the UK's leading websites for discount worldwide travel, with over 1 million customers every year. It is an award-winner in the British Travel Awards' "Best Flight Booking Company" and "Best Online Hotel Booking Company" categories.
Find out more about AlphaRooms and its holiday offers at www.alpharooms.com/
24. Osprey Holidays thanked for removing bullfighting reference from Seville page
A big thank you to international tour operator, Osprey Holidays, for removing a reference to bullfighting from its website.
Following an ICABS appeal, in which we highlighted the cruelty involved, the reference was deleted from a webpage about Seville.
Thumbs up to Osprey Holidays for its compassionate response.
Based in Edinburgh, Osprey is an independent family-run tour operator with over 40 years of experience. It specialises in short breaks to over 60 cities and in 2013 was voted the best European Short Break Operator by the Scottish Passenger Agents' Association. Find out more about Osprey Holidays and its holiday offers at www.ospreyholidays.com
25. Serial killer bullfighter "justifiably gored": Morrissey
Morrissey issues statement in response to the recent goring of a matador in a Mexican bullring...
The shame of beloved Mexico I felt delight this week to see serial killer Karla de los Angeles justifiably gored in a bullring in Mexico City against her largely defenseless opponent. Make no mistake: there is no such thing as bullfighting. For the torment and slaughter of each bull there is an avowed plan and a strict script, so therefore there is no possibility of a contest of any kind. Yet there is the illusion of contest and action even if the order of events is very efficient - so efficient, in fact, that whenever the bull "wins" it is reported that the event has 'gone wrong'. But why could anything go wrong if a contest is fair? Whenever the matador is suddenly at a disadvantage, other matadors rush to her/his aid, and they stab the bull. However, the bull is not allowed support from other bulls should he find himself similarly in trouble. For this reason, the event is superficial and can only appeal to people who have no intelligence.
Driven by perverted impulse, Karla de los Angeles wants to kill another being that has actually posed no threat to her, and her radio comment following this week's failed attempt to out-wit a dying bull had de los Angeles confessing:
"I am sad because I could not cut off the bull's ear."
Well, Karla, please understand this: we are sad that the bull did not come away with YOUR ear.
Most tourist guides still list 'bullfighting' as a sport, yet nothing about the event is sporting. In actual and undeniable fact, it ought to be listed in travel publications as 'torture' because to the intelligent mind, it does not qualify for any other description.
Read the full statement at Listen to Morrissey's "The Bullfighter Dies" at
ACTION ALERT
Please ask Ticketmaster, Carrefour and El Corte Ingles to show compassion for the tortured bulls and stop selling bullfighting tickets.
Sign and share our petition and get in touch with the companies using the contact details below.
Petition: https://www.change.org/p/ticketmaster-carrefour-el-corte-ingles-stop-selling-bullfight-tickets
EL CORTE INGLES
Email: clientes@elcorteingles.es,servicio_clientes@elcorteingles.es
TICKETMASTER
Email: michaelrapino@livenation.com (Michael Rapino, CEO, Live Nation Entertainment)
Or email from: http://ticketmasterus.custhelp.com/app/askNoTabs
CARREFOUR
Mr Georges Plassat
Please join us in our appeal to City Discovery to remove cruel bullfighting from its Madrid tour
Email: blog@city-discovery.com or send an message from http://www.city-discovery.com/contactUs.php
26. Ariany new anti-bullfighting municipality
Ariany new anti-bullfighting municipality The Spanish municipality of Ariany (Mallorca) have declared itself as anti-bullfighting municipality. 13 municipalities have declared themselves against bullfighting on the Spanish Island till now. This has been achieved thanks to our campaign ‘Mallorca Sense Sang’ (Mallorca without Blood). The total number of anti-bullfighting municipalities in Mallorca is now 17!
Thanks to political lobby the municipality of Ariany decided to discuss and to vote on the initiative to stop bullfighting. The main objective of ‘Mallorca Sense Sang’, a campaign of AnimaNaturalis and CAS International, is to abolish bullfighting on the Spanish Island of Mallorca. Several successes have been achieved in the meantime.
The list of anti-bullfighting municipalities now numbers 126 worldwide. There are now 101 municipalities in Spain that declared themselves against bullfighting.
We have reached more than 70,000 signatures. You may help us actively so we can collect more signatures to convince the local politicians to forbid bullfighting on Mallorca. Please help us by signing and sharing the petition!
27. Arts Council has granted almost €1 million to circuses
TheJournal.ie has reported that the Arts Council of Ireland has handed over another €20,000 of Irish taxpayers' money to an animal circus.
Responding to the news, John Carmody of the Animal Rights Action Network commented: “With towns and counties all over Ireland passing motions to ban or restrict animal-act circuses using public land, and with attendance dropping faster than ever before, the Arts Council should do what is right and completely cut any further funding to a business model that is geared around animal suffering and exploitation, not art.”
The Journal reports that the Arts Council has given nearly €750,000 to animal circuses over the last six years, with Duffy’s Circus receiving more than €330,000 since 2008.
An investigation carried out by The Captive Animals' Protection Society in 2012 revealed that the Arts Council had handed over almost €1 million of taxpayers’ money to animal circuses between 2006 and 2012.
ACTION ALERT
Urge the Arts Council to stop funding animal circuses.
Arts Council of Ireland Sample Letter (If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below)
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am contacting you to complain about the Arts Council of Ireland's continued funding of animal circuses.
The exploitation of animals in circuses is not art, it is an outdated and cruel practice which has been banned in over 25 countries around the world.
I call on the Arts Council of Ireland to show compassion and stop using taxpayers' money to support animal circuses.
Thank you. I look forward to your positive response.
Yours sincerely,
[Name / Location]
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.
Foxhunting and blood sports Sir, – Your correspondent Anne Strahan (December 31st) cannot get her head around John Fitzgerald’s problem with foxhunting (December 29th). I suspect that the vast majority of people, by the same token, cannot get their heads around the fact that some human beings think it’s okay to hound and kill wild animals for “sport”, even if they do, as she says, “clean their horses and dress themselves appropriately”.
She says that the fox is a pest that kills lambs and chickens, and that hounds are behaving naturally in pursuing them and tearing them apart, but in fact they are trained by the hunters to hunt and kill as a pack, and are “blooded” during the cub-hunting season on young and inexperienced fox cubs.
Statistics available on fox predation belie claims by hunters that the fox is a pest. A pilot study undertaken by the Department of Agriculture’s veterinary lab (1992) showed predation (including all kinds of predators) and misadventure (accidents, drownings, etc) combined accounted for 5 per cent of all lamb mortalities, while the British ministry of agriculture found much the same, citing predation at a mere 1 per cent, adding that it did not consider foxes to be a significant factor in lamb mortality.
Meanwhile, eminent zoologist Dr James Fairley (NUI Galway), author of An Irish Beast Book, states: “A great deal of the many allegations of lamb killing are based on insufficient or even non-existent evidence. When interviewing farmers, I found that in some cases, a dead, unwounded animal or the mere disappearance of a lamb were attributed to the work of the fox.”
The fox is under constant persecution, much of it utterly cruel and barbaric, based on scant or little evidence of its threat to farm livestock, as the statistics show, but like every myth, it continues to be perpetuated, mostly by recreational hunters in whose interest it is to demonise the fox. Foxhunting has been outlawed for the past 10 years by our neighbours in England, Scotland and Wales, while hare coursing has also been banned in these jurisdictions and in Northern Ireland, leaving Ireland as a last outpost for barbarism, thanks to successive governments that have consistently turned a blind eye to the cruelty. – Yours, etc,
AIDEEN YOURELL,
Arts Council, circuses and wild animals Sir, – While the Arts Council is cutting funding to the O’Brien Press (December 29th), it may come as a surprise to many that it continues to fund travelling circuses that exploit wild animals for human entertainment, an activity which is ethically dubious and has absolutely no artistic merit.
The ISPCA believes that the council has breached its own animal welfare policy as travelling circuses cannot provide a suitable environment for wild animals, such as tigers and lions, which spend up to 90 per cent of their time in small beast-wagons and are subjected to constant movement and noise which are well-known stressors for wild animals.
In a time of austerity, it is outrageous that the Irish taxpayer is subsidising wild animal circuses at the same time as many countries are banning them on animal welfare or ethical grounds.
The ISPCA will continue to call for a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses and calls on the Arts Council to stop funding an activity which should be consigned to the history books. – Yours, etc,
Dr Andrew Kelly,
"Olympian Greg Rutherford has revealed the sad ending of the story of an injured deer he carried home [for two miles] in an attempt to help it. The long-jump record holder came across the injured deer while out walking his dogs near his home in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...The TiggyWinkles animal hospital went to the house, put the deer's leg in a splint and took it away. But, sadly, Doris was too severely hurt to save and she was put down." from Greg Rutherford Carries Injured Deer Home, Sky News, 23 January 2015
"We don't allow the hunt in because the hounds had a run in with our heavily pregnant hoggats years ago" from a comment left on the ICABS Facebook page.
"Do not give away unwanted greyhounds. It is far better to put them painlessly to sleep." Callous advice from the Irish Coursing Club, from "A Summary of Directives, Instructions and Guidance Notes Issued by the Executive Committee of the Irish Coursing Club to Club Secretaries, Control Stewards Judges and Slippers".
Pubs and hotels hosting "hunt meets" are being targeted by a new militant animal rights group who are damaging properties in "direct action attacks". Although the Association of Hunt Saboteurs (AOHS) said they have "no knowledge" of the new HUNT Retaliation group, they have heard claims that "many pubs around the country have suffered damage inflicted on their premises since the hunting season started in October". from Militant anti-hunt group targets pubs, Sunday Independent, 28th December 2014.
"Last year a donkey was killed and eaten and the legs and head were left for disposal in two garbage bins, but the bin collectors would not take them so the legs and head were thrown across nearby security fencing. This happened in a housing estate in Athlone." Comment posted by Athlone SPCA on its Facebook page.
35. Petitions - please sign and share
Ban Blood Sports in Ireland Now
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland Minister Humphreys – Stop Licensing Cruel Hare Coursing
https://www.change.org/p/minister-heather-humphreys-don-t-license-cruel-hare-coursing
Stop cruel hare coursing in Millstreet Town Park
Minister Coveney: Save Irish hares from cruel 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
Ireland: 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
Stop the mass torture and murder of dogs and cats in South Korea
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
Ban Fur Sales on eBay
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/ban-fur-sales-on-ebay#
Stormont 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
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
Stop Torturing Bears: End Bear Bile Farming In China
http://forcechange.com/64173/stop-torturing-bears-end-bear-bile-farming-in-china
Petition – Add “Report Animal Abuse” option 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
Protect Pygmy Rabbit from Extinction
http://forcechange.com/127886/protect-pygmy-rabbit-from-extinction/#.U6wPl5vscDQ.twitter
Save the Wild Tigers of Vietnam
http://forcechange.com/132544/save-the-wild-tigers-of-vietnam
Demand an End to Civet Coffee Bean Farming
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/931/941/945/?z00m=21512698&redirectID=1466634482
Stop upcoming wolf hunt in Wisconsin
Stop Barbaric Bear Baiting in South Carolina
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
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.
Campaign newsletter of the Irish Council Against Blood Sports
02. Coursing cruelty season culminates at Clonmel this weekend
03. Kill greyhounds, don't rehome them - Callous advice from Irish Coursing Club
04. Drug problem haunting Irish greyhound industry
05. Hunting knife removed from Donedeal
06. Foxes run for their lives as hunt welcomed to Ashford Castle
07. Fox pursued by 37 hounds for over 13 miles
08. Dublin Coach's shameful hare coursing offer
09. Budget Travel thanked for removing bullfighting references
10. Justice Minister questioned about hunt "blatantly ignoring legislation"
11. Irish Times: Ward Union under investigation
12. Urge GAA club and church to reject foxhunt-organised fundraiser
13. Louth-based company removes fox fur footwear from shop
14. Respa beds owner and county hurler at foxhunt
15. Shameful animal cruelty in Millstreet's town park
16. Appeal to Millstreet GAA: Join calls for end to coursing on football field
17. Millstreet TD urged to join calls for end to cruel hare coursing in town park
18. Realex don't do it: Online payment company urged to reject coursing
19. "Useless Horses": The truth of Ireland's horse-racing cast-offs
20. Demand a ban on cruel hare coursing and foxhunting
21. Pig killed with chainsaw in Dunboyne housing estate
22. Ministers questioned about chainsaw slaughter of screaming pig
23. AlphaRooms.com thanked for removing bullfighting references from website
24. Osprey Holidays thanked for removing bullfighting reference from Seville page
25. Serial killer bullfighter "justifiably gored": Morrissey
26. Ariany new anti-bullfighting municipality
27. Arts Council has granted almost €1 million to circuses
28. Letters to the Editor
29. Campaign Quotes
30. Petitions - please sign and share
outside the offices of coursing sponsor, BoyleSports, Westmoreland St, Dublin 1.
outside the national coursing finals, Powerstown Park Clonmel
Managing Director
Red Carnation Hotels
Email: jonathan@rchmail.com
or email from: http://www.redcarnationhotels.com/forms/contact-us
Tweet to: @red_carnation
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redcarnationhotels
General Manager
Ashford Castle
Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
Tel: +353 94 954 6003
Email: nrochford@ashfordcastle.com
Tweet to: @ashfordcastle
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashford-Castle-in-Ireland/115664027323
https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland
Minister for Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2
Telephone: 01-6194020
Fax: 01-6764048
Office of the Tanaiste
Iveagh House,
80 St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel: 01 6183566 (Dail)
Tel: 01 408 2000 (Iveagh House)
Fax: 01 408 2400
Email Enda Kenny and Joan Burton: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie,joan.burton@oireachtas.ie
Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889.
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623.
Unit 20, Western Ind. Estate,
Naas Road, Dublin 12
Phone: +353 (0)1 465 9972
Email: info@dublincoach.ie,cori@dublincoach.ie,sales@quicktours.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DublinCoach
Santry Road
Dublin Airport
Tel: +353 (0)1 8621977
Mobile: +353 (0)87 9483973
Email: info@quickpark.ie
Tweet to @StAnnes_GAA @OfficialWexGAA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stannes.gaa.1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wexgaa
Parish Priest, Rathangan
Phone: 053-9158966
Diocese Email: adm@ferns.ie
Tweet to the Irish Bishops Conference: @CatholicBishops
https://www.facebook.com/millstreet.town
Leave a comment on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCorkGAA
Tweet to: @MillstreetGaa @OfficialCorkGAA
Email: aine.collins@oir.ie
Telephone: 01-6183873 or (029) 71845
Mobile: 086 4137615
Fax: 01-6184522
Twitter: @AineCollinsTD
Leave a comment on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aine.collins.fg
CEO, Realex Payments
The Observatory
7-11 Sir John Rogerson's Quay
Dublin 2
Tweet to @realexpayments @colmlyon
Leave a comment on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/realexpayments
Tel (Dublin): +353 (0) 1 702 2000
by Fiona O'Connell, Sunday Independent, 11th January 2015
Sunday World, 30th December 2014
For written answer on Thursday, 15th January, 2015.
for written answer on Thursday, 15th January, 2015.
2 January 2015
http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_150102_01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXOtIGZ1epM
Leave a comment Facebook http://www.facebook.com/elcorteingles?v=wall
Send a tweet to @elcorteingles
Leave a comment Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Ticketmaster
Send a tweet to @Ticketmaster @TicketmasterES
CEO, Carrefour
Email: georges_plassat@carrefour.com
Leave a comment Facebook https://www.facebook.com/carrefour
Send a tweet to @CarrefourES @GroupeCarrefour Por favor, dejar de vender boletos corrida #Crueldad
Leave a comment on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CityDiscovery
Tweet “Please remove bullfighting from your Madrid tour” to @CityDiscovery
Tel: +1 866-988-8687 (USA) or +44 20 7193 8320 (UK)
Thursday, January 15th 2015
http://www.cas-international.org/en/News/i/Ariany.html
Tel: +353 1 618 0225
Callsave: 1850 392492
Email: bernie.oleary@artscouncil.ie,awards@artscouncil.ie,davide.terlingo@artscouncil.ie,kevin.healy@artscouncil.ie,maeve.giles@artscouncil.ie,maeve.giles@artscouncil.ie
Leave a comment on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/artscouncilireland
Tweet to @artscouncil_ie
Irish Times, Monday, Jan 5, 2015
Irish Council Against
Blood Sports, PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Irish Times, January 2nd 2015
Chief Executive Officer,
ISPCA,
National Animal Centre,
Derryglogher Lodge,
Keenagh, Co Longford.
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.
Top | Newsletters | Home