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Exhibit true picture of hunting: appeal to Laois Council
01 March 2007
ICABS has asked Laois County Council to expose the truth about foxhunting by publicly displaying an image showing the fate of the fox. The request was made after we learned that a hunting scene appeared as part of an art exhibition at the council's Portlaoise headquarters. In a letter to the County Manager this week, we registered our disapproval at hunt paintings which show only half the story about this cruel activity. "Would Laois County Council afford us the opportunity of having a photo displayed at Aras and Chontae - either one depicting the animal cruelty involved in this horrendous activity or one showing the beauty of the red fox, the victim in foxhunting," we asked. We have also brought to the council's attention a statement issued by ICABS in January in which we noted that "a side to hunting that will certainly never be seen in these paintings is the cruelty meted out to the defenceless victims." (Please see below for full text of statement). ICABS hopes that Laois County Council will reply positively and consider displaying one of our photographs.
ACTION ALERT If you spot a hunting scene on display in an art exhibition or in a hotel or pub, educate the manager about the reality of blood sports in Ireland. Enquire about his or her stance towards activities involving animal cruelty. Suggest that a photo or painting showing the beauty of wildlife would make better viewing. If you would like to join us in our appeal to Laois County Council, the contact details are as follows:
Laois County Council
Tel: +353 57 8664000
Hunt paintings show only half the story
A picture is worth a thousand words, but if it's a hunting scene hanging in a stately home, you‘re only getting half the story, writes ICABS Campaign Director, Aideen Yourell. In a letter published in the Irish Independent, she highlights how the animal cruelty aspect of hunting is rarely acknowledged by blinkered hunt followers.
Another side to hunting
"There is a side to hunting that you will never see portrayed in the paintings that adorn many a hallway around the country," wrote hunting enthusiast Caitriona Murphy [in reference to the "hardship" encountered by mounted hunters who come a cropper at fences and ditches]. (Irish Independent, January 16). One side to hunting that will certainly never be seen in these paintings is the cruelty meted out to the defenceless victims. This side to hunting is carefully hidden from view and even hunt followers like Caitriona Murphy herself are unlikely to be exposed to the horror of seeing a squealing fox being dug out of its earth, or the searing sight of a fox or hare being ripped apart by hounds. Spare a thought also for the horses which are pushed to their limits and beyond during hunt outings. We have seen horses being whipped and kicked when they hesitate in front of insurmountable obstacles. One hunt official is on record as saying: "I'd need four horses to keep me going for the season, between horses getting cut and broke down and whatever..." A picture is worth a thousand words, but if it's a hunting scene hanging in a stately home, you‘re only getting half the story.
Aideen Yourell,
Paintings you're unlikely to find in a stately home
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