NARA requests meeting with Ministers on hare coursing licences.

For immediate release: Tuesday 4th July 2023

For comment, contact National Animal Rights Association spokesperson, Laura Broxson: [email protected]

National Animal Rights Association requests meeting with Minister O’Brien and Minister Noonan, ahead of decision on hare coursing licences.

“We know that Minister O’Brien will soon make a decision regarding granting licences for the 2023/2024 hare coursing season, so in the interest of fairness and balance, we would like to be given the opportunity to put forward our case against granting the licences.” says NARA spokesperson, Laura Broxson

“Although coursing is licenced by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, it’s important to note that the rules, regulation, and activity of coursing clubs are monitored by coursing officials themselves, not an independent or state body. The ISPCA support a ban on hare coursing, along with numerous animal rights and welfare groups, and the majority of members of the public. It’s time that the government morally caught up with everyone else.”

“Shockingly, there were 90 Affiliated Coursing Clubs active during the 2022/23 coursing season. The number of hares they captured from the wild that season was 3,398. The total number of courses run was 6,436 – meaning many hares were used more than once. The number of hares that were pinned was 104, 17 hares were injured and 13 hares died. This is unacceptable and must not be allowed to continue.”

“A RED C poll conducted in September 2019 demonstrated that 77% of Irish people are in favour of banning hare coursing, with just 9% disagreeing. Furthermore, the ‘Survival, movements, home ranges and dispersal of hares after coursing and/or translocation’ study, commissioned by the NPWS and Dept. of Housing, Local Government & Heritage, has shown that only 1 out of 20 coursed hares survived after being released. The report can be viewed here: http://edepositireland.ie/…/handle/2262/102623/IWM145.pdf “

“Hare coursing is already banned in Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. It’s time for this unnecessary cruelty to end in the Republic of Ireland too. In this regard, Paul Murphy TD introduced the ‘Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020’, which seeks a full ban on coursing. Jennifer Whitmore TD introduced the ‘Protection of Hares Bill 2023’, which also aims to ban hare coursing by means of prohibiting the licensing of coursing and granting full protection to the species. Both of these bills are due to go to second stage in a few months time.” she said.

“We invite both Minister O’Brien and Minister Noonan to engage with us on this issue. They have an opportunity to do the right thing, and at the very least should afford us equal engagement to that they so willingly give to the Irish Coursing Club.” she concluded.

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NARA is a legal, grassroots level organisation that only operates within the law. Information on this website is for the purpose of legal protest and information only. It should not be used to commit any criminal acts or harassment. NARA is not affiliated to any other animal rights group. NARA has no links or involvement with the Animal Liberation Front or the Animal Rights Militia. Any articles published on this web site relating to illegal activities are posted for the sole reason of publishing news related to animal rights, and are not intended to incite or encourage similar acts.

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