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"No exemptions for hunts": Ask your TDs/Senators to act
5 February 2010
Please join the Irish Council Against Blood Sports in urging TDs and Senators to act to ensure that hunting groups are not afforded an exemption under the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. In our appeal to politicians, ICABS highlighted the appalling conditions in hunt kennels and the destruction by hunts of healthy hounds that are considered not good enough for hunting. Presenting politicians with photos of disturbing conditions in Irish hunt kennels, we asked for them to disregard claims made during recent debates that hunts have high standards of care for their dogs. "This claim is not based on the facts, particularly when you take into account the hunt practice of destroying hounds that are considered unsuitable for hunting or no longer fit for hunting," we stated. "These would NOT be old, unhealthy hounds but hounds that are simply not considered satisfactory as regards speed or ability to follow scent." We also directed their attention to an article in Animal Voice which highlights the appalling attitude of those in charge of hunt kennels. The article told of how a caller who enquired about adopting a hunt hound was told that the kennels don't rehome dogs because they are killed instead. TDs and Senators were also reminded that the hunting hounds in question are used for the most horrendous cruelty to Irish animals. They chase wildlife across the countryside, catch them and rip their bodies asunder, we pointed out. "We urge you to please support the inclusion of hunts in this bill and take this opportunity to introduce a financial disincentive for the breeding of these killer dogs," we stated in our appeal. "This would be widely welcomed by the compassionate majority as a step towards a long overdue ban on hunting and an end to the associated animal cruelty."
ACTION ALERT Please contact your local TDs/Senators and urge them to act to ensure that hunting groups are not exempted. Please send them the message "No exemptions for hunting groups under the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009" along with your own personal statement. Write to your TD at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889. Write to your Senator at: Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623.
For the names and contact details of politicians, please visit the Irish Government Website at: Photos: Horrendous conditions in Irish hunt kennels
Urgent appeal to Minister: Don't exempt hunts from fees
ICABS has urged Minister John Gormley to drop proposals to exempt blood sports groups from fees under the new Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. Please support our urgent action alert now. According to a statement issued by the Green Party leader last month, "It is proposed that hunt clubs...would be exempt from paying fees but must register and be subject to possible inspection."
In a letter to Minister Gormley, ICABS has appealed for the proposal to be scrapped. "We remind you, Minister, that these hunting hounds are used for the most horrendous cruelty to Irish animals," we stated in our correspondence. "These dogs chase wildlife across the countryside, catch them and rip their bodies asunder." We added: "This bill is a tremendous opportunity for you to introduce a financial disincentive for the breeding of these killer dogs and move a step closer to your party's promise to ban blood sports. We hope you will take this opportunity and firmly reject the proposal to exempt hunting groups." You can read the full text of Minister Gormley's statement on the Green Party website ACTION ALERT
Minister Gormley has said his intention is to have the Bill introduced to the Houses of the Oireachtas early this year and enacted at the earliest possible date. Please act now to urge him to drop the proposal to exempt hunts. Email "No exemption for hunt groups under Dog Breeding Bill" to minister@environ.ie
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