Irish Hare Initiative calls for coursing licence refusal 18 August 2009 Hare conservation group, the Irish Hare Initiative, has joined calls for Minister John Gormley to refuse a licence to the Irish Coursing Club. In a statement, spokesperson Mike Rendle pointed to the "compelling conservation case for refusing licences to net hares for coursing". The group has appealed for action in response to the news that the 2009 Northern Ireland hare survey [carried out by Quercus on behalf of the Northern Ireland Environment Agency] has recorded the lowest number of hares since 2004. Annual counts offer the most reliable indication of population change. 98 hares were counted in 2009 compared to 187 in 2008 and 247 in 2007. These figures represent a decline of 50% in two years. Mr Rendle flagged the pattern of long-term population decline in the last 100 years. 'Recent surveys have added to the growing body of evidence that our hares are disappearing', he said. 'This is a wake up call for our politicians and government departments. The current review of the Northern Ireland Wildlife Order presents the opportunity to remove the Irish hare from the quarry list and help secure its survival for future generations." 'Statutory protection will underpin a wider conservation strategy as well as send a clear signal that we are serious about saving this beleaguered species from extinction', he added. 'The situation demands urgency, not complacency. We must use every means at our disposal to preserve this unique animal and allowing the Irish hare to remain a quarry species is simply not an option'. The Irish Hare Initiative is an independent NGO working to conserve Irish hares. Email info@irishhare.org Website www.irishhare.org ACTION ALERT Please ask Minister John Gormley (Green Party) to stop licensing coursing. Email "STOP LICENSING CRUEL HARE COURSING" to minister@environ.ie SAMPLE LETTER (If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, feel free to send the short sample letter below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.) Dear Minister Gormley I am one of the majority opposed to the cruel blood sport of hare coursing. I am appalled that as leader of the Green Party, you have issued licences for this animal cruelty in recent years. As you are aware, hares suffer from the moment they are snatched from the wild in nets, during their time in captivity and while they are being chased by the greyhounds. When hit, they suffer agonising life-threatening injuries, including broken bones. The cruelty of coursing is clear to see at www.youtube.com/watch?v=D58qbzC-GI4 How can you possibly justify keeping this blood sport alive by licensing it? I strongly urge you to REFUSE a licence to the coursers for the 2009-10 season and to put in place permanent protection for this most timid and treasured of species. It is contrary to Green Party principles to facilitate animal cruelty. Yours sincerely, [Your name and location] Campaign Videos: Urge Green Party leader to stop licensing cruelty Campaign Videos: Ban Coursing in Ireland More ICABS Videos Campaign Videos: Urge the Green party to ban blood sports More information about hare coursing Coursing: 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