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Minister gives blessing to staghunt cruelty
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| Photos: A stag is chased into a farmyard by Ward Union hounds snapping at its ankles. Ward Union hunt member wrestles the stag head first into the ground as other hunters rush in to lend a hand. Hunt followers try to prevent the stag from escaping as (right) one kicks out at a hound. See the Spring/Summer 1999 issue of Animal Watch for more photos and an Observers' Report | ||
Minister to allow staghunt to continue
Following a review into the legality of carted stag hunting and consideration of the issues surrounding this blood sport by the Attorney General, Minister for Arts & Heritage, Síle DeValera, has concluded that "it does not appear that there is a case for refusing to license the Hunt".
ICABS belives that the stags used by the Ward Union staghunting group are not wild animals and that therefore the Ward Union do not qualify for a licence under the Wildlife Act. Indeed, the Ward Union themselves have even admitted that: "Our deer could not accurately be described as wildlife".
ICABS is disgusted and angered at Minister DeValera's decision to allow the Ward Union to continue. Particularly when it is clear that the majority of Irish people want this blood sport stopped.
Two years ago, a similar carted deer hunt in Co. Down was stopped dead in its tracks by the Northern Ireland Department of Agriculture who took the view that deer bred in captivity (as the Ward Union deer are) were domestic and not wild animals and therefore protected under animal welfare legislation.
Please join us now in demanding that the government brings the blood sport of carted stag hunting to an end.
Contact Minister for Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Síle DeValera. Demand that she reconsider her decision and take immediate steps to prevent another season of carted stag hunt cruelty from going ahead.
Minister DeValera can be reached at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, 43 Mespil Road, Dublin 4 or by telephoning 01-6670788 Ext 2321. Email: aire@ealga.ie
