Coursing cruelty captured by media 08 February 2008 The cruelty of coursing has once again been captured by the Irish media. Photos of hares running for their lives in front of greyhounds were published in several papers, giving readers a reminder of the suffering endured by this timid and fragile species. A terrified hare is knocked off its feet by a muzzled greyhound. The fate of this hare is unknown but records show that hares hit by dogs can suffer broken bones and other internal injuries. A hare runs for dear life during the Boylesports coursing derby in Clonmel. A hare desperately runs for its life as two greyhounds close in from both sides. Photo: Irish Independent, 6th February 2008. A hare tries to outrun the dogs in a shameful blood sport that two out of every three Irish people want banned. Photo: Irish Independent, 6th February 2008. ACTION ALERT 1 Please contact Environment Minister, John Gormley, and appeal to him to give a commitment that this will be the last ever hare coursing season in Ireland. Sample Letter (Please compose your own personal letter if possible. If you do not have time to do this, please send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.) Minister John Gormley Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Custom House, Dublin 1. Email: minister@environ.ie Tel: 01 888 2403. Fax: 01 878 8640. Dear Minister Gormley, I am writing to implore you to firmly reject future licence applications from the Irish Coursing Club. Hare coursing is Ireland's most appalling animal abuse with thousands of hares being ripped from their natural habitat and forced to run for their lives before muzzled dogs. When hit, the injuries are often so severe that the terrified hare has to be destroyed - but only after suffering from stress and severe internal injuries or broken bones. In its pre-election manifesto, the Green Party pledged to ban blood sports when in government. I am among the confident majority who trust that you will take this historic opportunity, Minister, to spare the hares the suffering caused by coursing and refuse further licences to these heartless destroyers of our wildlife heritage. Thank you and best wishes. Yours sincerely, Name/Location ACTION ALERT 2 Please contact your local TD and Senator and ask them to make an appeal to Minister Gormley on your behalf. For the names of your TDs, please click on your county on the Irish Government website Contact your TD at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337889 (1890 DEPUTY). For a list of Senators, please visit the Irish Government website Contact your Senator at: Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623 (1890 SEANAD). More Photos: Hares suffering during coursing meetings A hare is mauled into the ground by a muzzled greyhound during a coursing meeting. This is one of the thousands of hares cruelly captured in the Irish countryside every year for use in the blood sport. More information about blood sports Coursing: Leaflet | Photos | Videos | Petition Foxhunting: Leaflet | Photos | Videos | Petition Carted deer hunting: Leaflet | Photos | Videos | Petition Make a donation to ICABS Please consider making a small 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. News Menu | Join | Top | Home