Ireland's hare coursing cruelty catalogue 2014
23 June 2014

The ongoing cycle of hare coursing cruelty continues. A new ICABS report highlights the victims of coursing during the 2013-14 season. Please read our report and join calls for a ban on this cruel bloodsport.

The ongoing cycle of hare coursing cruelty continues and in a few weeks, the coursers are in line to receive another annual licence from new Minister for Arts Heritage, Heather Humphreys. The licence will permit them to cruelly snatch in the region of 5,500 hares from the wild for use as live lures at approx. 80 coursing meetings around the country.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Irish Council Against Blood Sports has recently accessed reports on hare coursing meetings for the 2013/14 season of cruelty, and they make for depressing reading as usual, with hares being mauled, injured and killed as they run for their lives in fear and terror before greyhounds.

This year, in a new departure, the coursers, who are required to make returns to the National Parks & Wildlife Services, detailing numbers of hares mauled, injured and killed, euphemistically describe hares being struck and mauled by greyhounds as “requiring assistance”. For example, at Doon & District, 4 hares “required assistance” and were put down by the vet because of their injuries; at Dundalk and Dowdallshill, 6 hares “required assistance”, 4 were euthanised by vet and 3 died of “natural causes”, and in Tradaree in November 2013, the coursers claimed that 6 hares “required assistance”, resulting in 3 dying of “natural causes” though no post mortems were carried out to establish cause of deaths, while at the same meeting, the National Parks ranger stated that 13 hares were struck by dogs, and 3 were “found dead in the paddock” the next day. And at Gorey, the National Parks ranger cited 4 hares hit by dogs, with 2 dying of their injuries, while the coursers cited 3 hares “requiring assistance” and 1 put down, which points to the fact that we can expect the coursers to minimise the number of victims.

In another case, New Ross, the National Parks ranger cited 14 hares struck by dogs, while coursers claimed that only 11 hares were struck.

This year, only 23 coursing meetings were monitored by National Parks rangers, down significantly on previous years. At one of these meetings, Liscannor, a ranger was “intimidated” when she asked to check the hare paddock, and at Mallow, when a time was arranged with the National Parks ranger for a supervised release of hares, the coursers failed to turn up and refused to provide a contact phone number. Failure to cooperate with the NPWS ranger is a breach of the licence conditions.

At Fermoy, a vet failed to attend to a hare which had been hit, with the ranger stating: “…I asked that the vet look at the hit hare but he did not come.” It is a condition of the hare netting licence that a vet be in attendance at coursing meetings.

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is seeking a meeting with Minister Heather Humphreys, who has responsibility for the National Parks & Wildlife Service, to put our case against the cruel capture of hares from the wild for use in coursing, and to ask her to call on the coursers to implement drag coursing, the humane alternative to live hare coursing, for which have video evidence filmed at a drag coursing meeting in Listry, Killarney last year, and which shows it works very well, with the coursing dogs enthusiastically following the drag - see our footage at youtube.com/icabs

Aideen Yourell
Irish Council Against Blood Sports

Coursing Cruelty Catalogue 2014 by Irish Council Against Blood Sports

Victims of hare coursing 2013-14

Carlow | Cavan | Clare | Cork | Donegal | Galway | Kerry | Kildare | Kilkenny | Laois | Limerick | Louth | Meath | Offaly | Roscommon | Sligo | Tipperary | Westmeath | Wexford

CARLOW

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance" 1 certified injured by vet and 1 put down by vet.

Coursers stated that 5 hares "required assistance" and 5 examined by vet, and one declared "unsuitable for coursing" on day 3.

Coursers state 5 hares "required assistance", 5 examined by vet, 2 died from "natural causes" as confirmed by vet, with one hare "escaped". Vet stated that 5 hares were treated for injuries, but did not refer to any deaths. No reference to post mortems. NPWS ranger confirmed 4 hares hit on day 1, 1 injured and 1 died of injuries, but did not attend meeting on day 2.

Coursers stated that 5 hares "required assistance" and 5 were injured.

Coursers claim that 6 hares "required assistance", with 3 dying of "natural causes" as certified by vet, yet no post mortem was carried out by vet to establish cause of death. Meanwhile the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) ranger cited 13 hares struck by dogs (more than double the number claimed by the coursers), with 3 hares dead in the paddock at the start of coursing on day 2.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance" and treated for injuries, while the National Parks ranger stated that 14 hares were hit by dogs and 1 injured and 3 mauled, adding that she "wished to check the paddock on the morning of the releases but was unable to due to lack of co-operation and intimidation."

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance", were examined by vet and certified injured. Vet stated 1 was "unfit".

Coursers stated that 5 hares "required assistance", and were examined by a vet who stated that 4 were not "suitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance", 2 examined by vet, and 2 treated for injuries by vet, with 1 declared "unsuitable for coursing on day 2. Meanwhile NPWS ranger stated: "I did not meet vet. I asked that the vet look at the hit hare (on day 1) but he did not come."

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance", 2 examined by vet who stated that 2 were not suitable for coursing on day 2.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet, with 1 dying from natural causes, as confirmed by vet. However, vet did not refer to any injuries and deaths on his report and no post mortem was conducted. Interestingly, 3 were released on day 1 of coursing. NPWS ranger stated that "3 hit hares were released without my knowledge after coursing on 23rd. Including these 3, there are 39 hares unaccounted for". Ranger further stated that she had arranged to meet the coursers to supervise the release of 22 hares, but that at the appointed time, the coursers had not turned up. She said that "while arranging this meeting, they (the coursers) avoided giving me a mobile number, saying the organiser had no mobile and shrugging when I asked for someone else's mobile". NOTE: The National Parks and Wildlife Service censored part of the ranger's report.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet. However, vet stated that he treated 5 hares for injuries, and that 1 was "not suitable" for coursing.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet who declared that 5 hares were "not suitable for coursing".

Coursers stated that 6 hares "required assistance", were examined by vet and 3 were certified injured.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" and these were examined by a vet, with vet stating that 1 hare was "not suitable for coursing" on day 2. Coursers claimed that 1 hare escaped during a course.

Coursers stated 1 hare "required assistance", 1 certified injured by vet.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance", 3 examined by vet who deemed 1 hare "unsuitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers claim no hare hit, while ranger cites 1 hare hit.

Coursers stated that 1 hare "required assistance" and was examined by a vet, who stated that 1 hare was treated for injuries and 1 considered "unsuitable for coursing", while ranger cited 1 hare injured.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance". Meanwhile NPWS ranger stated that 11 hares were hit by dogs, while querying 1 hare injured. The coursers claim that 1 hare escaped - "jumped when bringing them down to be released". NPWS ranger stated that there were "discrepancies in the number of hares the club were claiming to be in possession of." NOTE: NPWS censored this report, with some material deleted.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance", 2 injured and 2 declared "unsuitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance", 1 certified injured and 1 put down because of injuries.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance", and 1 hare died in the escape area. Coursers stated that among the hares captured, 4 were pregnant. They claimed that these hares were released.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance".

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance" and 2 examined by vet. Meanwhile NPWS ranger stated that 3 hares were hit. No vet report? Coursers captured 91 hares, but 90 available for coursing on day 1, leaving 1 hare unaccounted for.

Coursers stated that 6 hares "required assistance", 6 were examined by vet, 1 was certified injured and 1 put down by vet.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance" 2 certified injured and 2 put down by vet.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" and were examined by a vet, who stated that 2 were "not suitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" during coursing, with 2 of these examined by vet, who stated that 3 were "not suitable" for coursing.

Coursers stated that 1 hare "required assistance" and 1 examined by vet, who stated that 1 hare was "unsuitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 9 hares "required assistance" with these being examined by vet, and 2 died of "natural causes". Vet did not refer to these 2 dead hares nor was there a post mortem, but he did state that 3 of the hares he examined were "not suitable for coursing" on day 2. Vet therefore did not seem to be aware that 2 hares had died.

Coursers stated that 1 hare "required assistance", was certified injured by vet and euthanised.

Coursers claim that no hares "required assistance", though NPWS ranger's report cites 8 hares hit by dogs and "1 looked to be injured when it was pinned against a wire fence". Coursers claim also that 1 hare "escaped".

Coursers stated that 1 hare "required assistance". They claimed that 2 hares escaped.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance", and were examined by a vet, who stated that 2 were "not suitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance", 4 certified injured by vet and 4 put down by vet, because of injuries.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance", 1 certified injured, and 1 put down.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" and 1 died from "natural causes" as confirmed by vet, but vet never referred to this in his report, nor did he carry out a post mortem. Vet said he treated 3 hares for injuries, however. Coursers claim that 1 hare escaped and another 2 were released on 31st December 2013.

Coursers stated that 5 hares "required assistance".

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" with vet stating that 3 were treated for injuries.

Coursers stated that 6 hares "required assistance" and 4 were certified injured by vet, with 4 put down by vet, with 3 dying of "natural causes". Vet noted 4 put down but said nothing about 3 dying of "natural causes" or any post mortem having been carried out.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance" and 2 examined by vet, who deemed 1 "unsuitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 5 hares "required assistance" and that these were examined by a vet, who stated that 5 "not suitable" for coursing

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance", 1 died of natural causes, as confirmed by vet, although no post mortem was carried out. It was claimed by coursers that 1 hare escaped. Coursers captured 71 hares, yet only 69 were available for coursing on day 1, leaving 2 unaccounted for.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" and that these were examined by a vet, who stated that on day 2, 3 hares were "not suitable" for coursing.

Coursers stated that 5 hares "required assistance" during coursing. Vet stated that 1 injured hare was "released" and 1 was killed, but the coursers describe that as dying from "natural causes". National Parks Ranger expressed concern about number of hares released to Oyster Island after coursing meeting, saying that "37 were taken off and 44 put back on. I am concerned that there may not be sufficient acreage on Oyster Island for this number of hares."

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet, who stated that on day 2, 2 hares were "not suitable" for coursing.

Coursers state that 3 hares "required assistance" during coursing and that these were examined by vet, who stated that on day 2, 2 hares were "not suitable" for coursing.

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance", 2 certified injured and 2 put down by vet.

Coursers stated that 4 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet who stated that 3 were "not suitable for coursing" on day 2.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance" during coursing on day 1, and that these were examined by a vet, who stated that 3 hares were "not suitable" for coursing. On release, coursers state that 2 missing hares had "escaped".

Coursers stated that 2 hares "required assistance" and were examined by vet, who treated 2 for injuries and stated that 6 were "not suitable" for coursing.

Coursers stated that 3 hares "required assistance", 1 injured and 1 put down, plus 3 considered "unsuitable for coursing" by vet. However, NPWS ranger cited 4 hares hit by dogs with 2 dying of injuries.

Coursers stated that 11 hares "required assistance", 1 hare certified injured and 1 put down by vet. Meanwhile NPWS ranger stated that 14 hares were hit and 11 injured, with 1 put down because of injuries, 3 more hits than claimed by the coursers, plus 10 more injured.

Coursers stated that 8 hares "required assistance, and 8 injured, with 5 deemed "unsuitable for coursing" on day 2. However NPWS ranger cited 10 hares hit.

 ACTION ALERTS 

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign a petition:

Minister Humphreys - Stop Licensing Cruel Hare Coursing
Minister Coveney: Save Irish hares from cruel coursing
Ban horrific Hare Coursing Cruelty in Ireland
Stop sponsoring hare coursing in Ireland
Protect the Irish Hare

Appeal to Arts and Heritage Minister, Heather Humphreys

Urge Minister Heather Humphreys not to issue a licence for another season of hare coursing.

Email "Stop the cruelty. Don't license hare coursing" to Heather.Humphreys@oireachtas.ie,ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie
Tel: (01) 631 3800

Appeal to the Minister for Agriculture

Please appeal to the Minister for Agriculture to remove an exemption for hare coursing from the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

Simon Coveney, TD
Minister for Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Email: Simon.Coveney@oireachtas.ie
Tel: 01-607 2884 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.

Urgently contact An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and ask him to back a ban on hare coursing.

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

Contact all your local TDs now. Demand that they urgently push for a ban on hare coursing and all bloodsports. Tell them you are one of the majority who want coursing banned. Remind them that coursing is already illegal in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Urge them to respect the wishes of the majority of the electorate and back a ban.

Find out their contact details
Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

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