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We're at the Dept. of Agriculture lobbying TDs every Tuesday, come join us!WHEN: 12:30pm - 2pm, Tues. 24th September 2024.
WHERE: Dept. of Agriculture, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
WHY: Hare coursing is a cruel bloodsport that involves releasing a defenceless hare into a large field before releasing greyhounds to chase after them. The hare will usually be given a 100 yard head start before the greyhounds are released. The dogs will usually catch up quickly, as they are bigger and faster. Unaware the dogs are muzzled, the hare is literally running for their life. However, even with a muzzle, the dogs can still severely injure or K*ll the hares by crushing them into the ground or pushing their delicate bodies into the air. If the hare reaches an 'escape' area without being caught by the dogs, unfortunately they still continue to be exploited by coursing club officials.
Irish hares are protected under the 1976 Wildlife Act, but it also protects hare coursing - it's illegal to trap or sell hares unless it's for the purpose of coursing them. In Ireland, there are two forms of coursing: Enclosed coursing and open coursing. They both involve a live hare. Thousands hares are used each coursing season. They are subjected to stressful environments, injury, and even death. In 1993 the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) were forced by the government to muzzle greyhounds at enclosed meetings, and in 2015 the ICC adopted the same policy for open coursing.
About a month before coursing meetings, a cruel process known as 'netting' takes place. It involves ICC supporters herding groups of hares into nets. This handling of the hares is extremely cruel and stressful for these delicate animals, who are solitary creatures. Often hares will die or be seriously injured as a result.
Although the ICC do not condone 'blooding' - a gruesome event which involves a small animal such as a rabbit or kitten being mauled to death by a greyhound - it is seen as 'essential' to many dog owners, as it gives the greyhound a taste for blood and makes them perform better. Although it is illegal, blooding is widespread amongst the coursing community. It's also important to realise that the rules, regulation, and activity of coursing clubs are monitored by coursing officials themselves, not an independent or state body.
The appalling Irish Greyhound Racing industry is linked to the Irish Coursing industry. Approximately 15,000-20,000 greyhounds are bred each year. An estimated 10,000 greyhounds cannot be accounted for. The ICC are responsible for holding the stud book for all tattooed greyhounds. Most coursing dogs will only last one or two seasons before disappearing. Irish greyhounds are often either exported to other countries, where they will continue to be exploited, or killed in Ireland. In 2012, a mass grave containing the remains of seven greyhounds was discovered in Limerick. An investigation found that two of the greyhounds were given to a third party to be shot in the head after showing no interest in chasing hares.
***On 16th September 2020, Paul Murphy TD introduced a bill to ban hare coursing in the Dáil, which will be going to second stage (where it's voted on) in the next few months. We urgently need your help to make this bill a success, so please join our campaigns, email your TDs, and highlight this issues on social media.***
Thank you, and see you there!
National Animal Rights Association
www.naracampaigns.org
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Agriculture House, Kildare Street,Dublin, Ireland
