Renewed Appeal to Boylesports to disassocate from hare coursing

Disgust at Boylesports' continued association with coursing
19 October 2012

ICABS has expressed disgust to Louth-based betting company, Boylesports, over its continued association with cruel hare coursing. An advert on the Irish Coursing Club website declares that Boylesports is "No 1 for coursing betting" and offers a free bet to coursers.

On its website, Boylesports proclaims that its Irish sponsorships include "the Coursing at Clonmel, Co Tipperary".

"Your association with an activity that causes terror, stress, injury and death to the Irish Hare is appalling.," ICABS stated in an email. "It is disgusting that your company considers it appropriate to support an activity whose victims include hares with broken legs and dislocated hips and hares mauled so severely that they have died from their injuries. We hope you will reconsider your shameful stance and stop the sponsorship and bets."

Brought to Boylesports' attention was some of the victims of coursing, including "a hare "squealing in distress" after being caught by a muzzled dog and "a hare in agony in a coursing enclosure with its leg "almost completely broken off". Scroll down to see the latest victims of coursing from the 2011-12 season.

In a 2011 Sunday Times interview, Boylesports founder John Boyle, stated "I love the coursing."

ACTION ALERT

Sign a Petition: Stop sponsoring hare coursing in Ireland
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Complain to Boylesports about its association with cruel coursing.

John Boyle
Managing Director
Boylesports
Finnabair Industrial Park
Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Tel: +353 42 939 3000
Tel (ROI): 1800 22 00 66
Tel (UK): 0800 22 00 66
Tel (International): +353 42 9393168
Fax: +353 42 939 3051
Email: care@boylesports.com
CC: media@boylesports.com;marketing@boylesports.com;lblanche@boylesports.com;nmcgeady@boylesports.com

Boylesports Ltd,
First Floor,
Millennium House,
Victoria Road,
Douglas,
IM2 4RW,
Isle of Man

Photos: Protest against coursing sponsor, BoyleSports
06 July 2012

Thank you everyone who attended the Dublin protest outside coursing sponsor BoyleSports. Thousands of passers-by - on foot, in cars and on buses - learned of BoyleSports shameful sponsorship of hare coursing cruelty.

If you were unable to attend on the day, please respond to the action alert below. You may also wish to organise a similar protest outside your nearest BoyleSports branch. You can see a list of branch locations at http://classic.boylesports.com/info/d.asp?show=ShopList

A big thank you to ICABS President, Maureen O'Sullivan TD (centre) who joined the protest against hare coursing sponsor, BoyleSports. Westmoreland Street, Dublin, 5th July 2012.

Protest against coursing sponsor, BoyleSports
29 June 2012

A protest against coursing sponsor, BoyleSports, will take place this Thursday, July 5th outside their Westmoreland St, Dublin branch. Please try and attend and encourage others to be there.

Location: Outside Boylesports, 6 Westmoreland Street. Dublin 1. Near the Corner of Fleet Street.
Date: Thursday 5th July 2012, 12.30-2pm.

See a photo of a hare running for its life in front of a BoyleSports advertisement banner during the Clonmel coursing finals.

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Sat Nav Coordinates: 53.3456615, -6.259375900000009 (53° 20' 44.38'',-7° 44' 26.25'')

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Renewed Appeal to Boylesports to stop sponsoring hare coursing
22 June 2012

ICABS is renewing its appeal to Louth-based betting company, Boylesports, to disassociate from the bloodsport of hare coursing. On its website, Boylesports proclaims that its Irish sponsorships include "the Coursing at Clonmel, Co Tipperary".

Last season, the company was slammed for offering free bets to hare coursers. An advert on the Irish Coursing Club website declared that Boylesports is "No 1 for coursing betting" and offers a free 20 Euro bet to coursers.

"Your association with an activity that causes terror, stress, injury and death to the Irish Hare is appalling," ICABS stated in an email. "It is extremely distasteful that your company considers it appropriate to profit from the suffering of animals. We hope you will reconsider your stance and stop the sponsorship and bets."

ACTION ALERT

Ask Boylesports to disassociate from coursing.

John Boyle
Managing Director
Boylesports
Finnabair Industrial Park
Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Boylesports Ltd,
First Floor,
Millennium House,
Victoria Road,
Douglas,
IM2 4RW,
Isle of Man

Boylesports Derby 2011 Preview video
Forward to the 20 second mark to see a hare being violently hit into the ground by greyhounds and sent tumbling head over heals.
Watch on Youtube

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Coursing Cruelty Catalogue 2011/12
04 May 2012

As the Department of Agriculture publishes its new Animal Welfare legislation, exempting hunting wild animals with dogs, we have further evidence of the horrific cruelty of hare coursing, which has also been exempted from prosecution.

Year after year, it's the same story with hares, used as live lures before greyhounds. They are stressed, terrorised, mauled, injured and killed, as revealed by National Parks reports, obtained under Freedom of Information. Today we reveal what can only be described as a Catalogue of Cruelty, gleaned from these reports - please see below. One ranger, atypically, described in human terms, hares being mauled as follows:

"There were 9 hares hit on Day 1. Of these, one hare was tossed and rolled on the ground; another hare was tossed and mauled; another was mauled on the ground by the two dogs and placed in a wooden box; another was hit about five times and mauled on the ground by the dogs. When the dog owners came running in, one of them grabbed the hare and lifted it away from the dogs by its side and then the steward took it from him and handled it in a more appropriate manner. The hare cried with what I presume was distress during this incident. The steward placed this hare in the wooden box. Another hare was tossed and badly mauled by the dogs later in the day. In all, 3 hit hares were retrieved and placed in a wooden box."

Despite the undeniable evidence of cruelty outlined here, our legislators continue to turn a blind eye, and are prepared to exempt this barbarity, just as was done 101 years ago in 1911. Meanwhile, hare coursing has been outlawed in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, leaving the Republic the last outpost of a legacy from the Roman amphitheatres. This Fine Gael and Labour Government should be thoroughly ashamed of themselves.

See video footage obtained by ICABS at the so-called J.P. McManus Irish Cup hare coursing event. The February 2012 footage shows hares being hit, mauled, picked up and handed across a fence www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL741E0B6DA3CBB057

Please join us in appealing to the government to amend the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 to remove the blood sports exemptions. Easily send an email message to all of Ireland's TDs at http://www.contact.ie/contact-national-politicians or visit our Politicians Page to contact them individually.

VICTIMS OF HARE COURSING DURING 2011/12 SEASON

CLARE

Ennis/Clarecastle, December 10/11, 2011
According to ranger’s report, on day 1, 5 hares were hit, with 3 dying in escape after coursing. On day 2, 7 hares were hit, 2 killed, 4 injured, 1 put down and 2 died from injuries. This amounts to a total of 8 fatalities.

Tradaree, November 12/13, 2011, 2011
On day 1, 2 hares were hit and 1 killed. On day 2, ranger noted that 4 hares had died overnight and 1 after coursing. Vet’s report stated that 9 hares were “unfit for coursing, 1 injured and 1 unfit after coursing.

CORK

Millstreet, December 30/31, 2011
3 hares were hit by dogs, 3 hares were dead at end of coursing. Ranger noted that “a number of hares (at least 3, probably more) had conjunctivitis, as confirmed by Vet. At least 9 hares had foot injuries.”

Mitchelstown, November 5/6, 2011
7 hares hit by dogs, 3 injured and 2 put down as a result of their injuries, plus 1 found dead in escape.

Fermoy, October 19/20, 2011
6 hares hit by muzzled dogs, 1 injured and 1 put down because of injuries, with the ranger being informed that a hare was found dead the morning after in the escape. Vet’s report stated that 5 hares were injured (4 more than ranger stated) with 1 hare euthanised.

Mallow, Co Cork October 22/23, 2011
9 hares hit by muzzled dogs, and 1 “escaped” from paddock.

Charleville, Oct 29/30,2011
5 hares hit. It was stated that no vet was present, but on call, while the ICC control steward said there was veterinary involvement. The vet completed a veterinary report, despite not being present.

DONEGAL

East Donegal, December 3 and 4, 2011
Ranger stated 1 hare hit, 1 injured and died from injury.

DUBLIN

Balbriggan, November 26/27, 2011
9 hares hit, 1 injured, according to NPWS ranger, with vet’s report stating that 2 hares were injured and 2 “sick or otherwise unfit” after coursing, and ICC control steward stating that 1 died of natural causes, and 1 injured hare released – did this receive veterinary attention?

GALWAY

Loughrea, October 22/23, 2011
14 hares hit by muzzled dogs, with 3 put down because of injuries. It was noted that 3 hares were “unaccounted for” on release. According to the ranger’s notes, it was realised on release that a hare was injured, and it was then brought to the vet and euthanised.

Galway & Oranmore, Nov 10 & 11, 2011
10 hares hit, 4 pinned.

KERRY

Listowel, Co. Kerry, Oct 12/13, 2011
7 hares hit by greyhounds, 3 killed, 3 injured and 2 put down because of injuries, plus 1 died in coursing compound, a total of 7 fatalities.

Kilflynn, Co. Kerry, October 1 & 2, 2011
12 hares hit by dogs, 3 hares killed, 3 died of “natural causes”, 1 injured and 1 put down because of injuries.

Lixnaw, Co. Kerry, November 4/5/6, 2011
2 hares hit by greyhounds, 1 killed and 1 died of “natural causes”. Veterinary report answers ‘Nil’ to all questions regarding welfare of hares and makes no reference to any hare killed or dying of “natural causes”, despite the ranger’s ticking the yes box to veterinary involvement question.

Abbeydorney, Co. Kerry, October 22/23, 2011
6 hares hit by greyhounds, 1 killed.

Ballyduff, Co. Kerry, November 18/19, 2011
4 hares hit by dogs, and 1 died of “natural causes”. Despite the fact that it was stated that there was veterinary involvement, the vet’s report made no mention of the hare death.

Ballyheighue, Co. Kerry, October 14/15/16, 2011
Ranger didn’t attend on Day 1. 4 hares struck over 2 days, with 1 hare killed and 1 dying of “natural causes”.

Castleisland, Co.Kerry, October 30/31, 2011
1 hare hit by muzzled dogs.

KILKENNY

Sevenhouses, Kilkenny, January 14/15
12 hares hit by muzzled dogs, 1 killed, 4 injured and 1 put down because of injuries.

Parksgrove, North Kilkenny, December 26/27, 2011
13 hares hit by muzzled dogs, 2 killed 2 put down because of injuries, with 2 “escaped”. Veterinary report states 2 hares injured, but no reference to 2 hares that had to be put down. The vet was noted as being “on call”. Who put down the hares, if not the vet?

LIMERICK

Limerick City, November 5/6, 2011
10 hares struck by greyhounds, with 4 injured and 1 put down because of injuries, 1 “escaped”.

Limerick Regional, Clarina, October 15/16, 2012
15 hares hit by dogs, 5 “pinned” and 10 “tipped”, 5 injured and 2 died of injuries. Ranger stated that a post mortem was sought on the hares that died, with his line manager requesting via a note on the form the findings of the post mortem, stating “I presume it was internal injuries rather than muzzles coming off?” Ranger noted “Yes – muzzles did not come off.”

Glin, Co. Limerick, October 7/8/9, 2011
Ranger stated that 2 hares were killed.

TIPPERARY

Thurles District, 29/30, October, 2011
10 hares hit over the two days, 2 hares killed, 2 injured and 2 died overnight in coursing compound.

Nenagh, December 17/18, 2011
4 hares hit by muzzled dogs.

WESTMEATH

Westmeath United, October 15/16, 2011
Ranger described coursing as follows: “There were 9 hares hit on Day 1. Of these, one hare was tossed and rolled on the ground; another hare was tossed and mauled; another was mauled on the ground by the two dogs and placed in a wooden box; another was hit about five times and mauled on the ground by the dogs. When the dog owners came running in, one of them grabbed the hare and lifted it away from the dogs by its side and then the steward took it from him and handled it in a more appropriate manner. The hare cried with what I presume was distress during this incident. The steward placed this hare in the wooden box. Another hare was tossed and badly mauled by the dogs later in the day. In all, 3 hit hares were retrieved and placed in a wooden box,” which was subsequently taken away by the vet, who stated in his report that 1 died and 2 were released.

Castletown-Geoghegan, Co. Westmeath, December 17/18, 2011
6 hares hit by muzzled dogs, with 1 “bad grazing”. Vet stated 2 hares were injured.

WEXFORD

Gorey, 29/30 October, 2011
Over the two days of coursing 16 hares were hit by dogs, with 9 pinned and 7 dying of their injuries, according to NPWS ranger’s report. However, the vet’s report does not cite any hares injured or killed or euthanised.

Murrintown, Wexford, 26/27 December, 2011
Ranger reported 6 hares hit by muzzled dogs on Day 2, with 6 injured and 2 killed. Meanwhile veterinary report cited 12 hares unfit for coursing, 4 hares injured and 16 “sick or otherwise unfit” after coursing. According to this coursing club’s Hare Capture Return, 86 hares were captured for coursing. However a number of 75 were cited at the start of coursing on day 1, leaving a discrepancy of 11 hares. In a memo from the ranger to his superior, he cited that the club informed him that they had a “break in on their hare paddock” and that “8 hares were missing and 3 killed”.

Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, November 26/27, 2011
7 hares struck by greyhounds with 3 injured. Despite the fact that it was indicated on the ranger’s report that there as veterinary involvement in the meeting, the vet cited nil hares injured at the meeting, so it would appear that these hares were not examined

Ballinaboola, New Ross, October 8/9, 2011
14 hares hit by dogs, 14 hares injured, 1 killed and 1 died from injuries. Vet noted just 1 hare injured and 1 “sick or otherwise unfit after coursing”, in contrast to the 14 noted by the ranger. Did vet inspect any injured hares?

Please see our recent video footage showing hares being terrorised, hit and mauled:

ACTION ALERTS

Urgently contact An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and An Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore. Ask them to back a ban on hare coursing and give permanent protection to hares.

An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny
Department of the Taoiseach,
Government Buildings,
Upper Merrion Street,
Dublin 2
Telephone: 01-6194020
Fax: 01-6764048
Email: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie

An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore
Office of the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade,
Iveagh House,
80 St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin 2.
Tel: 01 6183566 (Dail)
Tel: 01 408 2000 (Iveagh House)
Fax: 01 408 2400
Email: eamon.gilmore@oireachtas.ie

Forward a copy of your correspondence to your local TDs:
Find out the name of your TDs and their email addresses.

Write to your TDs at:
Dáil Éireann
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2.

Video: Ban Coursing in Ireland