Stag forced to swim across Boyne to escape hunters 01 January 2009 One-click Action Alert: Click here to send an email to Minister Gormley A stag being pursued by the Ward Union hunt was forced to swim across the River Boyne in a desperate bid to escape, the Irish Times has reported. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is renewing its call on Environment Minister John Gormley (Green Party) to withdraw the 5½ month licence he issued to this cruel hunt and to refuse future licences. According to the Times report, the stag went into the river near Navan during a hunt last Tuesday (December 30th). The chase involved "50 huntsmen and huntswomen on horseback, in addition to some Ward Union staff...and a pack of hounds". You can read the full Irish Times report, and see a photograph of the stag, by clicking on the link below: Stag escapes from Meath hunters by swimming river See also: Revealed: The deerhunting licence granted by Minister John Gormley URGENT ACTION ALERT Express your disappointment to Minister Gormley at his decision to issue yet another licence to the Ward Union. Restate your opposition to cruel carted deer hunting and urge him to stop licensing this, and other, blood sports. 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. SAMPLE LETTER (If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.) To: Environment Minister, John Gormley Copy To: Green Party TDs, Senators From: [*** Insert Your Name and Location Here ***] Dear Minister Gormley: I am writing to express my huge disappointment at your decision to grant another licence to the Ward Union for carted deer hunting activities. The captive bred, domesticated deer used by the hunt are protected animals under the Protection of Animals Act and may not be legally hounded by hunters. As you are aware, it is contrary to existing legislation to license the activities of this hunt. I urge you to honour your party's pre-election promise to ban blood sports and please revoke this licence which will lead to more deer suffering over the coming months. Thank you. I look forward to your reply. Video: Urge the Green party to ban blood sports Send video link to a friend Videos: Carted deer hunting cruelty Ban the Ward Union Duration: 00:30 Slideshow - Ward Union Duration: 04:06 Carted deer hunting Duration: 04:51 More information about carted deer hunting 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