Report reveals latest victims of Ireland's cruel hare coursing
22 June 2016

Very shortly, the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Heather Humphreys will be making a decision on whether to grant a licence to the Irish Coursing Club and its 75 affiliated coursing clubs to snatch thousands of hares from the wild for use as live lures before greyhounds at coursing meetings, which will begin in October and continue right up to the end of next February. The netting will begin in August and the hares, cruelly snatched from the wild in nets, will be kept captive in coursing compounds, where they will endure the stress of being corralled and so-called "trained" to run the course and find the escape area. Some hares taken from the wild will be pregnant or lactating females with young leverets left behind in the wild, and it is not uncommon for leverets to be born in coursing compounds.

It is truly appalling that our Minister for Arts & Heritage, with responsibility for wildlife, would countenance the abuse of the Irish hare, an iconic species, so called "protected" under the Wildlife Act.

This year, as with every other year, documents obtained by ICABS under FOI reveal that captive hares continue to be struck, mauled, injured and killed by greyhounds at coursing meetings.

For example at Tubbercurry last January, it was noted by the National Parks ranger that 14 hares were hit, 12 injured, six badly, with 1 dying of its injuries and 3 more put down. At Old Kilcullen last December 2015, 7 hares were struck, with 3 dying of injuries, according to the coursers; at Co. Kerry coursing, 3 hares were struck with 2 being put down; at Dundalk 3 hares were struck with 2 dying of injuries; at Macroom 6 hares “required assistance” according to the coursers, a euphemism for being struck and mauled, with 3 being put down; at Mooncoin, 5 hares “required assistance” and 1 was put down; at Ardpatrick & Kilfinane, where an ICABS monitor was assaulted and had a camera taken, 3 hares “required assistance” and 2 were put down; at Ennis Clarecastle, 5 hares were struck, 3 injured, I died due to injury and 2 were put down because of injuries; at New Ross 7 hares were hit, 4 injured and 1 put down; at Rathcormac, 2 hares “required assistance” with 1 being put down; at Balbriggan, 2 hares “required assistance” with 1 dying of its injuries; at Cavan 7 hares “required assistance”, with 1 dying from injuries; at Clonmel & Kilsheelan 3 hares “required assistance” with 1 dying from its injuries; at Cork coursing club 4 hares “required assistance”, with 1 dying of its injuries; at East Donegal, that 7 hares were struck by greyhounds, but the coursers stated that no hares were hit over the two days. The ranger noted in a memo that on the second day of coursing “the club committee agreed to cancel two of the races ……. as they thought that the weather had taken its toll on the hares”. He added that “on the morning of the first day’s coursing there were three dead hares in the hare paddocks; at Bandon & Mitchelstown 5 hares “required assistance”, with 5 requiring treatment by vet, and 1 dying of injuries; at Liscannor 1 hare “required assistance” and died; At Templetuohy 6 hares “required assistance” and 1 died of “natural causes”; at Trim 1 hare “required assistance” and 1 hare died of injuries; at Wexford coursing meeting, Ranger stated that 6 hares hit by dogs, 1 put down because of injuries.

There was hardly a meeting where hares were not struck by the dogs, but interestingly, at the national finals of coursing in Clonmel, over the three days of coursing, and where they had 188 hares in captivity, the coursers claimed to have not even struck one hare. Crucially this meeting was not overseen by a ranger from the National Parks & Wildlife Service.

After reading this report, please join us in urging the Irish Government to ban hare coursing.

CARLOW

CO. CARLOW, 7/8 November 2015: Coursers state that 4 hares “required assistance”.

CAVAN

CAVAN & DUNGANNON, Co. Cavan, 13/14/15 November, 2015: Coursers stated that 7 hares “required assistance”, with 1 dying from injuries. They also claimed that 1 hare escaped, and released 3 on day 1 and 3 on day 2?

CLARE

ENNIS CLARECASTLE, Co. Clare, 3 4 October 2015: Ranger report for day 1 stated that 5 hares were struck by dogs, with 3 injured, 1 died due to injury and 2 put down because of injuries. Coursers state that on day 1, 2 hares “required assistance”, i.e. were struck, 2 were put down and 1 died of injuries. Clearly they are incorrect in the number of hares that were mauled by the greyhounds. There is no ranger report for day 2, but the coursers state that 2 hares “required assistance” and these two were examined by vet. The coursers claim they released a single hare on day 1?

KILLIMER KILRUSH, Co. Clare, 21/22 November 2015: Coursers claim no hare “required assistance”. They captured 15 hares from Hogg Island.

LISCANNOR, Co. Clare, 26/27 September 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance” and died. They also claimed that 1 hare escaped.

MILTOWN MALBAY, Co. Clare, 24/25 October 2015: Coursers stated that 5 hares “required assistance”.

CORK

RATHCORMAC, Co. Cork, 21/22 November, 2015: Coursers state that 2 hares “required assistance” with 1 being put down.

BANDON & MITCHELSTOWN, Co. Cork, 25/26/27 November 2015: Coursers state that 5 hares “required assistance”, with 5 requiring treatment by vet, and 1 dying of injuries. They released 5 hares on day 2?

CORK COURSING CLUB, 26/27 December 2015: Coursers stated that 4 hares “required assistance”, with 1 dying of its injuries.

CLONAKILTY, Co. Cork, 8/9/10 January 2016: Coursers state that 5 hares “required assistance”.

FERMOY & GRANGE, Co Cork 14/15 October 2015: Coursers stated that 2 hares “required assistance”. According to the hare capture form, it is noted that on September 7, 5 hares were netted at Kilworth firing range (Defence Forces) on September 7, 2 on September 21 and another 3 on September. Did army give permission for this?

GLANWORTH, Co. Cork, 2/3 December 2015: Coursers stated that 10 hares “required assistance”.

MALLOW, Co. Cork, 21/22 October 2015: Coursers claimed that no hares “required assistance”.

MILLSTREET, Co. Cork, 1/2 January 2016: Coursers stated that 7 hares “required assistance”.

CHARLEVILLE, Co. Cork, 24/25 October 2015: Coursers stated that no hares were hit.

DONEGAL

EAST DONEGAL 21/22 November 2015: Coursers state that no hares were struck, but that 1 died of natural causes. They captured 67 hares, but had 66 at the start of the meeting, with no explanation for the missing hare.

EAST DONEGAL, 2/3 January, 2016: Conservation ranger noted that 7 hares were struck by greyhounds, but the coursers stated that no hares were hit over the two days. The ranger noted in a memo that on the second day of coursing “the club committee agreed to cancel two of the races...as they thought that the weather had taken its toll on the hares”. He added that “on the morning of the first day’s coursing there were three dead hares in the hare paddocks. This was probably due to the weather.” The veterinary report did not refer to these 3 dead hares, and there was no post mortem carried out. There was no hare capture form.

DUBLIN

BALBRIGGAN, Co. Dublin, 21/22 November 2015: Coursers state that 2 hares “required assistance” with 1 dying of its injuries. However, veterinary report notes that 3 hares were examined for injuries, which means that 3 hares, not 2 were struck by dogs, as claimed by coursers.

GALWAY

GALWAY AND ORANMORE, 4/5 November 2015: Ranger noted that 3 hares were struck (2 hits, 1 pin), but the coursers stated that only 1 hare “required assistance”.

KERRY

CO. KERRY, 26/27 December 2015: Coursers stated that 3 hares “required assistance” with 2 being put down by a vet due to injuries. Interestingly, a single hare was released into the wild on day 1, according to the coursers.

MACROOM, Co. Kerry, 13/14 January 2015: Coursers stated that 6 hares “required assistance” with 3 having to be put down. Hare capture document states that 70 hares were captured, yet only 68 were recorded at the start of the coursing meeting on day 1, so 1 hares unaccounted for.

ABBEYDORNEY, Co. Kerry, 17/18 October 2015: Coursers state that 4 hares “required assistance” and examined by vet, who said they required no treatment. These hares were released on day 1.

ABBEYFEALE, Co. Kerry, 28/29 December 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance”. Timmy O’Donoghue (retired NPWS ranger) in attendance as an ICC control steward.

BALLYDUFF, Co. Kerry, 14/15 November 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance”.

CASTLEISLAND, Co. Kerry, 24/25/26 October 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance”.

KILFLYNN, Co. Kerry, 26/27/28 September 2015: Coursers stated that no hares “required assistance”. They claimed to have released 8 hares on day 1. Timmy O’Donoghue (retired National Parks ranger) was control steward at this meeting.

LISTOWEL, Co. Kerry, 6/7/8 November 2015: Coursers stated that 3 hares “required assistance”. They released 1 hare on day 1? Timmy O’Donoghue in attendance.

LIXNAW, Co. Kerry, 27/28/29 November 2015: Coursers stated that just 1 hare “required assistance”. They released 1 hare on day 1 and 5 on day 2? Tim O’Donoghue in attendance.

KILDARE

OLD KILCULLEN, Co. Kildare, 1/2/3 December 2015: Coursers stated that 7 hares “required assistance” with 3 dying of injuries after being mauled by the greyhounds. They had 79 hares at the start of the meeting and released 71. The discrepancy is accounted for as follows: 3 dead, 1 “escaped” 1 “released” on day 1 and 3 “released” on day 2.

KILKENNY

MOONCOIN, Co. Kilkenny, 25/27 December, 2015: Coursers stated that 5 hares “required assistance” with 1 put down.

FRESHFORD, Co. Kilkenny, 29/30 October 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance".

JOHNSTOWN & URLINGFORD, Co Kilkenny 28/29 November 2015: Coursers stated that 2 hares “required assistance”.

NORTH KILKENNY, 19/20 December 2015: Coursers stated that 4 hares “required assistance”.

LAOIS

RATHDOWNEY, Co. Laois, 5/6 November 2015: Coursers stated that no hare “required assistance”.

LIMERICK

ARDPATRICK & KILFINANE, Co Limerick 28/29 November, 2015: Coursers state that 3 hares “required assistance”, with 2 being put down. National Parks & Wildlife Service have refused us a copy of the ranger’s report for this meeting, citing the fact that they are deliberating with the Irish Coursing Club about this meeting. Significantly, an ICABS monitor was filming this meeting, but was assaulted by a courser and had the camera taken. It was returned via the Gardai later, but the memory card was missing. ICABS monitors noted that hares were having trouble accessing the escape at this meeting and were being pursued around the coursing field for considerable lengths by the greyhounds. Also there are no dates for the hare captures, which the coursers are required to state on the hare capture form, so it is unknown how long the coursers had the hares in their possession.

CO. LIMERICK, 26/27/28 February 2016: Coursers stated that 6 hares “required assistance”, 5 on day 1 and 1 on day 2. Coincidentally, 5 hares were released on day 1 and 1 on day 2?

GLIN, Co. Limerick, 2/3/4 October 2015: Coursers stated that just one hare “required assistance”.

LIMERICK CITY, 31 October and 1 November 2015: Coursers stated that 4 hares “required assistance”. They released 4 hares on day 1?

NEWCASTLE WEST, Co. Limerick, 5/6 December 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance”.

RATHKEALE, Co. Limerick, 21/22 November 2015: Coursers stated that 2 hares “required assistance”. They released 7 hares on day 1?

GALBALLY, Co Limerick 31 December 2015 and 1 January 2016: Coursers state that 6 hares “required assistance” with 1 hare being put down. Coursers also claim that 1 hare escaped. They also claim to have released 4 hares on day 1.

REGIONAL, Co Limerick 10/11 October 2015: Coursers stated that no hares required assistance. They released 15 hares on day 1?

LOUTH

DUNDALK, Co Louth 26/27 December, 2015: Coursers stated that 3 hares “required assistance”, with two dying from injuries.

MAYO

CASTLETOWN/WESTPORT, Co. Mayo, 11/12/13 December 2015: Coursers stated that 5 hares “required assistance”. 4 hares were released on day 1, and the coursers claim that 2 escaped to explain the discrepancy in the number of hares at the end of the meeting.

MEATH

TRIM, Co. Meath, 31 October & 1 November 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance” and 1 hare died of injuries. There is no mention of any hares being released. Why? Hares were collected from Batterstown, Summerhill, Trim, Navan, Bective, Dunsny, Athboy, Kilcock and Wilkinstown.

OFFALY

BALLINAGAR, Co Offaly 24/25 October, 2015: Coursers state that 2 hares “required assistance”. According to the coursers, 59 hares were captured, yet they state 58 hares on day 1 of coursing, leaving 1 hares unaccounted for.

EDENDERRY, Co. Offaly, 17/18 October 2015: Coursers state that no hares were struck.

SLIGO

TUBBERCURRY, Co. Sligo, 8/9/10 January, 2016: National Parks ranger noted that 14 hares were hit by the greyhounds, 12 injured, six badly, with 1 dying of its injuries and 3 put down. Meanwhile the coursers’ report notes that 12 hares “required assistance” meaning they were struck by the dogs. According to the hare capture report, the coursers netted 92 hares from the wild and released 81, leaving 7 hares unaccounted for, which they claimed had escaped from the compound.

TIPPERARY

NATIONAL FINALS, CLONMEL, 29/30/31 January 2016: Coursers stated that no hares “required assistance” over 3 days of coursing. They had 188 hares and claimed to have returned all to wild.

BORRISOLEIGH, Co. Tipperary, 26/27 December 2015: Coursers state that 4 hares “required assistance”. They had 74 hares at the start of coursing, having captured 76 hares, but they claimed that 2 escaped before coursing started.

TEMPLETOUHY, Co. Tipperary, 2/3 January 2016: Coursers stated that 6 hares “required assistance” and 1 died of “natural causes”.

THURLES, Co. Tipperary, 24/25 October, 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance”.

TIPPERARY & DISTRICT, 13/14 February 2016: Coursers stated that 2 hares “required assistance”.

CROHANE & KILLENAULE, Co Tipperary 17/18 October, 2015: Coursers stated that 2 hares “required assistance”.

BORRIS-IN-OSSORY, Co. Tipperary, 15/16 December 2015: Coursers captured 66 hares and claimed that no hares were struck during the two days of coursing.

CLONMEL & KILSHEELAN, Co. Tipperary, 14/15 November 2015: Coursers stated that 3 hares “required assistance” with 1 dying from its injuries.

KNOCKGRAFFON, Co. Tipperary, 21/22 November 2015: Coursers stated that 2 hares “required assistance” and had to be treated by vet.

NENAGH, Co. Tipperary, 7/8 November 2015: Coursers stated that 4 hares “required assistance”.

WATERFORD

CAPPOQUIN & DUNGARVAN, Co. Waterford, 11/12/13 December, 2015: Coursers stated that 4 hares “required assistance”.

WATERFORD & DISTRICT, 25/26 October 2015: Coursers stated that 1 hare “required assistance”.

WESTMEATH

WESTMEATH UNITED, 10/11 October 2015: Coursers stated that no hare “required assistance”. They claimed that 1 hare escaped.

WEXFORD

ENNISCORTHY, Co. Wexford, 21/22 November 2015: Ranger noted that 1 hare was injured after being hit by dogs and was carried off the field. On day 2 there was 1 hare hit and injured. The coursers claimed that 1 hare escaped.

GOREY, Co. Wexford, 5/6 December 2015: Coursers stated that no hare “required assistance”.

NEW ROSS, Co. Wexford, 31 October & 1 November 2015: Ranger stated that 7 hares were hit, 4 injured and 1 put down.

WEXFORD, 26/27 December 2015: Ranger stated that 6 hares hit by dogs, 1 put down because of injuries.

Video: It's time for a ban on Ireland's cruel hare 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/p/save-irish-hares-from-cruel-coursing

 ACTION ALERTS 

Contact all your local TDs now to encourage them to vote in favour of Maureen O'Sullivan's bill to ban hare coursing. Visit the Oireachtas website for names of TDs and their contact details http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=32&disp=mem

Please also arrange a meeting with your TDs at their local clinics.

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

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

Contact Minister Heather Humphreys now and urge her stop licensing hare coursing

Heather Humphreys, TD
Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
23 Kildare Street
Dublin 2

Email: Heather.Humphreys@oireachtas.ie, ministers.office@ahg.gov.ie, taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie, wildlifelicence@ahg.gov.ie, Gerry.Leckey@ahg.gov.ie
Tel: +353 (0)1 631 3802 or +353 (0)1 631 3800
Leave a comment on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/heather.humphreysfg
Tweet to: @HHumphreysFG
Tweet to @HHumphreysFG

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 refuse a licence to the Irish Coursing Club. In coursing, hares suffer and die 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. I ask you to please act on the wishes of the majority, show compassion and refuse to licence this cruelty. Thank you. Yours sincerely, [Name/Location]

Urgently contact An Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny and An Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Frances Fitzgerald. Ask them to ban 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, Frances Fitzgerald
Department Of Justice
51 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2.
Tel: +353 1 602-8202 or +353 1 457 7712
Email: frances.fitzgerald@oir.ie
Tweet to: @FitzgeraldFrncs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Frances-Fitzgerald/302584593224671

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