Brian May condemns Ireland's cruel hare coursing as 'disgusting so-called sport' that 'belongs in history'
06 October 2015

Brian May has condemned Ireland's cruel hare coursing as "a disgusting so-called sport" that "belongs in history".

Tweeting on October 5th after a performance in Buenos Aires, the Queen legend was reacting to ICABS photos of hares in captivity in a coursing field in Edenderry. The hares are to be used as live lures for greyhounds to chase at a coursing meeting on October 17 and 18.

Brian May tweeted: "A disgusting 'so-called' sport. Belongs in history. Let's keep fighting for decency, folks."

A disgusting 'so-called' sport. Belongs in history. Let's keep fighting for decency, folks. Long road. But ... Bri https://t.co/WHuERFdnOt

— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) October 4, 2015

Please join Brian May in speaking out against Ireland's cruel hare coursing. Support our protest outside the coursing field in Edenderry on Saturday October 17th at 12 midday. More details below.

Protest against hare coursing in Edenderry - Saturday, October 17th

Please join us for a protest protest against hare coursing on Saturday October 17th outside the coursing field in Edenderry (Next to Lidl and Tesco). The protest begins at 12 midday.

During the 2-day coursing meet, hares violently netted from the countryside will be used as live bait for greyhounds. The hares will suffer the fear and stress of running for their lives and those hit and mauled by the dogs are likely to suffer painful life-threatening injuries such as broken bones or damaged legs and toes.

It's time for a ban on hare coursing. Make your voice heard at our peaceful protest. Please be there for the hares and encourage friends and family members to join you.

Let us know you will be there - visit our protest page on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/events/1038493379514714/

If you are in Dublin and wish to avail of a bus to Edenderry, please get in touch as soon as possible. If we get enough numbers, we will hire a bus.

When: Saturday, October 17th, 2015, 12 midday
Location: Outside Coursing Field (Next to Lidl and Tesco), Edenderry, Co Offaly

Find location on Google Maps https://goo.gl/maps/aZrTKWuNKsk

Find location on Google Street

Get Driving Directions from anywhere in Ireland http://www.theaa.ie/routes/

Thank you. We look forward to seeing you on the 17th.

Videos: Hares in captivity in Edenderry coursing field

 ACTION ALERTS 

Urge Minister Heather Humphreys to show compassion for the persecuted Irish Hare and revoke the coursing licence she issued.

Email "Stop the cruelty. Revoke the hare coursing licence" to Heather.Humphreys@oireachtas.ie
[Heather.Humphreys@oireachtas.ie,ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie,taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie,joan.burton@oireachtas.ie,wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie,Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie]
Tel: (01) 631 3802 or (01) 631 3800
Leave a comment on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/heather.humphreysfg

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, I am one of the majority who want hare coursing outlawed. I am writing to urge you to revoke the licence you issued to the Irish Coursing Club. In coursing, hares suffer at all stages - during the capture, during the time they are kept in captivity and during the coursing meetings where they run for their lives in front of greyhounds. Among the injuries recorded are broken legs, damaged toes and dislocated hips. Every season, hare injuries and deaths are documented. I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and permanently revoke the licence. Yours sincerely, [Name/Location]

Express your support for a ban on coursing. Sign and share petitions

Stop Licensing Cruel Hare Coursing
https://www.change.org/p/minister-heather-humphreys-stop-licensing-cruel-hare-coursing

Save Irish hares from cruel coursing
https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/minister-simon-coveney-replace-hare-coursing-with-drag-coursing

Ban horrific hare coursing cruelty in Ireland
https://www.change.org/petitions/taoiseach-prime-minister-of-ireland-support-a-bill-to-ban-the-cruel-practise-of-live-hare-coursing-in-ireland

Stop sponsoring hare coursing in Ireland
http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-sponsoring-hare-coursing-in-ireland

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
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.

Make a donation to ICABS

Please consider making a 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.