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"Ban all blood sports": Socialist Party Youth
13 July 2010 Socialist Party Youth have called for a complete ban on blood sports in Ireland. Describing how foxes are "torn to pieces by the dogs" at the end of hunts, the group describes the blood sport as a barbaric practice. "Socialist Youth says – ban all blood sports now!" an article on the party's website states. Please scroll down to read the article or visit the Socialist Party website
Ban all blood sports
The Green Party’s proposed Animal Health and Welfare Bill has been in the spotlight, specifically the proposal to ban stag hunting, which John Gormley says will be enacted in the near future. Stag hunting is done purely for human enjoyment. The aim is not to kill the stag say the pro-hunting lobby. However, in fleeing the hunters and the dogs, it becomes exhausted and terrified. Often they are injured during the process, sometimes they die from heart failure before they are captured. Occasionally they cause danger to people by running in front of cars. In one instance, in 2007, a stag ran into a schoolyard in Co. Meath. Fox hunting is an even more barbaric practice. Ostensibly for the purpose of keeping the numbers of foxes low, the hunters use dogs bred for endurance, not speed, so that the pursuit will last longer. It is a game, not a solution. If fox populations need to be controlled, surely there are more humane ways to do so. When the chase inevitably ends, the fox is simply torn to pieces by the dogs. One of the arguments put forward in defence of hunting is that it is acceptable because it is a traditional rural pastime. But defending tradition for tradition’s sake does not progress society. In the past, badger baiting and cockfighting were legal but these practices would now evoke disgust in most people. In March, a sizeable pro-hunting protest took place at the Green Party conference in Waterford – the arguments of the pro-hunting lobby are bogus and their stance cannot be justified in any respect. In fact, Gormley’s proposed bill doesn’t go far enough. There is no excuse for harming or killing animals in the name of sport in any instance. Socialist Youth says – ban all blood sports now! DO YOU AGREE? SUPPORT THE SOCIALIST PARTY? JOIN US ACTION ALERT Appeal to the Minister for Agriculture Please join us in appealing to the Minister for Agriculture to give wild animals the same protection that is given to domestic animals. Tell the Minister that since all animals are capable of suffering, all animals should be protected from cruelty. Urge the Minister to amend the Protection of Animals Act so that foxes and all wild creatures are protected from unnecessary cruelty.
Minister Brendan Smith
Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie [with a copy to An Taoiseach]
Appeal to the Environment Minister
Please also contact the Minister with responsibility for the Wildlife Act. Urge him to amend the Wildlife Act so that foxes are given full protection from the cruelty of hunting with hounds.
Minister John Gormley
Email: minister@environ.ie
Appeal to all Irish politicians
Please join us in telling the Irish Government that it is now time to replace foxhunting with the humane alternative - drag hunting.
Drag hunting sees the hounds chasing an artificial lure instead of a live animal. This form of "hunting" is already practised successfully by a few groups in Ireland. In a modern and civilised country like Ireland, there should be no place for foxhunting, particularly when a transition to drag hunting would be simple.
We desperately need your help to convince the government that it is time to ban foxhunting. Please write to all of your local politicians and ask them to express their opposition to this blood sport.
If possible, get your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. We need as much help with this campaign as possible.
Write to your TD at:
Write to your Senator at:
For the names and contact details of politicians, please visit the Irish Government Website.
Make a donation to ICABS
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follow this link to find out how to become a campaign supporter. Thank you.
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