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"It is positively medieval, barbaric": New figures show injuries to hares

New figures show over 100 hares injured during the coursing season last year.

Updated July 30th

CALLS HAVE BEEN made by the Irish Council Against Blood Sports (ICABS) for hare netting licences to be refused for the coming season.

The group are currently seeking a meeting with Arts and Culture Minister Heather Humphreys, whose department have responsibility for granting a licence for the season to clubs around the country.

This comes in the wake of new information about the number of hares killed or injured over the coursing season last year.

The figures were revealed by a Freedom of Information request made by ICABS on the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the State body involved in natural conservation.

During the 2013 coursing season, the NPWS oversaw 23 meetings. This was a significant reduction on previous years. Throughout the season, over 100 hares “required assistance” after being struck during races, leading to over 20 of them dying of natural causes or having to be put down.

The coursing season runs from September to February. Estimates are that there will be around 80 meetings this year.

ICABS / YouTube

Speaking to TheJournal.ie, spokesperson for the ICABS Aideen Yourell said: “These are wild animals. It is positively medieval, barbaric. The idea of it in a modern society. Every hare is traumatised.”

On whether the coursing clubs had regard for the safety of the hares, Yourell went on:

How can they have regard when they are using them as live lures. they just treat them as things to be used. They come under pressure to make sure that hares aren’t killed, but what can they do, they can’t avoid it. It is a 60 pound greyhound chasing after a six pound hare.

At one meeting in Liscannor, County Clare on the 28 and 29 of September last year, an inspector from the NPWS “wished to check the paddock on the morning of the releases but was unable to due to lack of co-operation and intimidation”. At the same event, 14 hares were hit by dogs, with one being injured and three being mauled.

On the issue of lack of cooperation with staff, Treasa Seoighe, a spokesperson for NPWS said:

“The Department is in communication with the Irish Coursing Club on a number of matters arising from the contents of some of the NPWS monitoring reports relating to the operation of the meetings during the 2013/14 season and compliance with the conditions attached to the licences including issues concerning lack of co-operation with NPWS staff.”

The Irish hare is a protected species under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000. Hare coursing is illegal in Scotland, Wales and England and became illegal in Northern Ireland in 2011.

The Irish Coursing Club were contacted but is yet to respond.

READ: Hiring out greyhound stadia as film sets could help the industry’s money woes

READ: Animal rights activists unhappy as Department issues licences for hare coursing

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91 Comments
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    Mute James
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:33 PM

    It’s not a sport when the other team don’t know they’re in the game.

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    Mute The Doctor
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:39 PM

    You might think it’s great fun. But it’s not a sport. None of the participants are intelligent enough to grasp the concept of sport. Because it’s an animal chasing an animal. No humans involved.

    The people who own the dogs would not have the first clue about sport.

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    Mute BrianT34
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:40 PM

    Dave Hogan…it’s a “sport” that many nations have banned on animal welfare grounds. The evidence against it is overwhelming. You don’t need the hare in coursing…drag coursing will eventually replace the live version as it has elsewhere.

    Here is coursing cruelty on display:

    http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL741E0B6DA3CBB057

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    Mute The Doctor
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:01 PM

    Of course you are Dave. It’s not illegal.

    But its not a sport. It’s a group of saddos, who lack any skill to play a real sport, standing around watching a dog chase a fecking hare. There is zero skill involved. Therefore not a sport.

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    Mute Seán Ó Briain
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:19 PM

    It’s no more a sport than WW2 was a sport. It’s downright cruelty to animals and to label it as anything else is wrong.

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    Mute Richard Cynical
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:31 PM

    Not a sport in my book, it’s basically someone was lucky enough to buy the faster dog wins

    81
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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:32 PM

    James, let me guess you want to ban fishing too!

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    Mute Joanna
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:52 PM

    Is watching lions hunting on the Discovery Channel also a “sport”?

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    Mute DiarmuidMurphy
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:02 PM

    And I suppose you think the dogs know there racing each other!

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    Mute Martin Donovan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:25 PM

    Dave Hogan it’s not A sport in the modern sense of the word. It’s sport in the sense of fun to be had from watching animals in distress. It’s sport in the same way as elephant shooting, badger baiting, bear baiting, bullfighting, cockfighting or foxhunting is sport. I suppose you think they’re all great, harmless fun as well, do you?

    So instead of writing “it’s a great sport” you should write “it’s great sport, because I get a kick out of seeing animals terrorised, and am too primitive to find other ways of enjoying myself”

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    Mute Mick O Callaghan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 6:22 PM

    Good man Dave. . . . . . . ..Pleb.

    39
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    Mute Martin Donovan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 7:08 PM

    Dave Hogan I had you down as a worthless, possibly deprived-of-oxygen-at-birth, cruel little human being. But now I see you for what you really are – a very sensitive man. I apologise for any mental anguish I’ve caused you. Think of your ordeal as vaccination against any future problems you may encounter in your life. Hopefully your release after my hounding of you will not leave you too traumatised

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    Mute Alan Ryan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 11:39 PM

    Dave hogan, you are a picrk.

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    Mute traveling mafia
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    Jul 29th 2014, 11:48 PM

    It’s a glorified rabbit who cares

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    Mute Martin Donovan
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    Jul 30th 2014, 1:05 AM

    How do you know the rabbit cares?

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    Mute john stewart
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:37 PM

    What kind of brainless morons partake in this cruel nonsense

    165
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    Mute Keelan O'neill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:39 PM

    You’ve answered your own question there.

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    Mute john stewart
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:52 PM

    His name is pierce

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    Mute Pierce2020
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:57 PM

    Calling somebody brainless and a moron is slightly redundant. C- must try harder.

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    Mute Gary
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:08 PM

    John, I’d say the likes of that clown Flash Gordan.

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    Mute john stewart
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:08 PM

    Ok a complete idiot then

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    Mute Pearse Brannigan
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:35 PM

    Heather Humphreys sanctioned it, so what does it say about her ?

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    Mute BrianT34
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:34 PM

    These new FOI reports as especially significant because they completely demolish the ludicrous claim by coursing clubs that hares are “unharmed” in coursing. Their contention that the existing rules governing the “sport” protect the animals is completely blown away by this evidence.

    If the license is granted again this year, thousands of hares will again be rounded up by gangs of men and boys and snatched from their peaceful homes in the countryside. Following a period of “training”, the helpless and terrified captives will then be forced to run from pairs of greyhounds. Some will die, either from being struck forcibly by the larger and faster dogs, or from stress-related ailments arising from their unnatural captivity or the chase itself. We have no way of know what becomes of the hares released after being coursed, though we do know that hares subjected to high stress levels may die within days of the experience.

    The Minister should examine, honesty and objectively, the latest reports which demonstrate very clearly that hares continue to be mauled, forcibly struck, and subjected to horrific injuries in coursing despite muzzling of the greyhounds. And this is apart altogether from the immense stress and suffering for the animals involved in capture (with nets), transportation, and confinement in unnatural captivity.

    The government cannot dismiss the wildlife rangers’ reports as “anti blood sports propaganda” as the rangers are appointed by the State and are completely independent in their duties. The reports confirm our belief that the only way to eliminate cruelty from coursing is to take the hare out of it. A mechanical lure would recreate all the fun and excitement of the practice, minus the suffering of a timid and defenseless animal.

    Here is the website detailing the European Coursing championships…where NO LIVE HARES ARE USED!

    http://www.eurocoursing2014.it/en/

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    Mute Damien O'Callaghan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:51 PM

    Great comment. I remember my father going off to these meetings and always feeling that there was something wrong even at a very young age. It’s hard to believe in this day and age that coursing still goes on.

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    Mute Yuba Bill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:11 PM

    What is your definition of “mauled”?
    I thought the dogs were muzzled>

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    Mute Karen Lord
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:33 PM

    Poor creatures. How anyone could enjoy watching this cruelty is beyond me.

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    Mute BrianT34
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:36 PM

    Unfortunately Karen some people get their kicks from animal cruelty and call it “sport.”

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    Mute Yuba Bill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:32 PM

    BrianT34, do you condemn the terror activities of the ALF?
    http://www.animalliberationfront.com/ALFront/Actions-Ireland/BitebackReports2008.htm

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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:35 PM

    I wouldn’t condemn the activities of the ALF Yuba. Animals cannot defend themselves against those who think they are for “sport”.

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    Mute Yuba Bill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:40 PM

    I don’t think ICABS condemn them, either.

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    Mute BrianT34
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    Jul 29th 2014, 6:46 PM

    Yuba Bill, I condone no “terror” group. I just oppose animal cruelty practices. The fact that some people do back such groups does not make coursing clubs less cruel or, for that matter, the blowing apart of birds and animals for kicks. I also oppose the activities of ultra wing Neo Nazi types in the West of Ireland alligned to the so-called “fieldsport lobby” (including an ex PI who posts online against all animal welfare groups)…Yuba Bill/Simon Jester/William Arthur Anker/Sabwatch…get my drift “Yuba?”

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    Mute Yuba Bill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 7:47 PM

    BrianT34, I think you are mistaking me for someone else.
    I am, however, assuming you do not condone the actions of the ALF.

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    Mute That's a paddlin'
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:45 PM

    It’s not a sport.

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    Mute Rodger 5
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:50 PM

    This evil is under Arts and Culture????

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    Mute Matt Connolly
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:53 PM

    Obviously…….”it’s our culture, boss”

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    Mute Markus Hanke
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:24 PM

    Firstly, coursing is not a sport since part of the definition of the term “sport” relies on it not being harmful to any living creature, and on it being an activity that involves humans. Also, how anyone can possibly think that they have an “entitlement” to watch animals come to harm is entirely beyond me – this is a moral question, not a legal one.

    In any case, there is no doubt in my mind that Ireland will eventually follow suit and outlaw this, as has already been done in many other countries around Europe. It is only a matter of time.

    65
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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Jul 29th 2014, 3:30 PM

    Where did you read that definition of sport? I reckon you made it up!

    Read this and check out the link:

    sport (spôrt, sprt)
    n.
    1.
    a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
    b. A particular form of this activity.
    2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
    3. An active pastime; recreation.
    4.
    a. Mockery; jest: He made sport of his own looks.
    b. An object of mockery, jest, or play: treated our interests as sport.
    c. A joking mood or attitude: She made the remark in sport.
    5.
    a. One known for the manner of one’s acceptance of rules, especially of a game, or of a difficult situation: a poor sport.
    b. Informal One who accepts rules or difficult situations well.
    c. Informal A pleasant companion: was a real sport during the trip.
    6. Informal
    a. A person who lives a jolly, extravagant life.
    b. A gambler at sporting events.
    7. Biology An organism that shows a marked change from the normal type or parent stock, typically as a result of mutation.
    8. Maine See summercater. See Regional Note at summercater.
    9. Obsolete Amorous dalliance; lovemaking.

    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sport

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    Mute Markus Hanke
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:05 PM

    //Where did you read that definition of sport?//

    On the corresponding Wiki article : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport#Definition
    Apologies, I should have cited the source in my original comment.

    11
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    Mute Pierce2020
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:46 PM

    I have no real problem with coursing

    65
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    Mute Matt Connolly
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:51 PM

    Get off this site and get back to blocking Cappagh Road.

    61
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    Mute Pierce2020
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:53 PM

    Why, I’m not a Garda.

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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:10 PM

    I think Matt meant to say get back to your site near the Cappagh Road. I’m certain he wasn’t insinuating you’re a Garda, but I think it’s a little naive of him to infer that Coursing is a Traveller pastime…

    30
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    Mute BrianT34
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    Jul 29th 2014, 6:50 PM

    Pierce2020…No problem with coursing? You might, Pierce, if you were on the receiving end of it.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:58 PM

    Hare coursing ranks alongside “sports” like dog and cock fighting. I would be wary of anyone who takes pleasure in animals being deliberately hurt.

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    Mute Mr_Bumkee
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:58 PM

    It has to be said that most of the people calling this cruel and disgusting most likely have no issue whatsoever with eating cheap, mass produced and battery farmed chicken and beef etc in the big supermarkets. Dont bother complaining about this if you ignore animal cruelty on a much much larger scale. Seems everyone lives in a glass house these days….. including myself I suppose.

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    Mute Tara Ryan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:11 PM

    You can’t judge coursing based on this article or something else biased. My family helps out our local coursing club and these kind of numbers are ridiculous. In many cases the hares are treated extremely well and even vaccinated so they are released stronger if anything. No one in coursing wants to see any harm done to the hares, why would we? That’s not what coursing is about. And you can’t compare it too the likes of cock fighting and dog fighting. It’s also not about who bought the fastest dog either, dogs are trained and trained, which involves a lot of work on the trainers/owner too. I can understand people who’ve never been to a meeting or had any involvement in coursing might see it as cruel, but there are two sides to every story and I don’t think people should judge so fast.

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    Mute Martin Donovan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:26 PM

    Oh, of course. How could I not see it? It’s for the good of the hares that coursing takes place. Where would the wildlife of Ireland be without you and other noble people like you? Your selfless crusade to help these animals deserves great adulation. Keep up the good work. It’s clear to me now. All those other countries that banned coursing should reintroduce it immediately because hares are dying in the wild because they haven’t been vaccinated.

    38
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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:41 PM

    Well Tara. How would you feel if you were taken from your familiar environment and family and then locked up until it became your turn to be chased across a field by a couple of creatures three times your size.
    A little frightened perhaps.

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    Mute Yuba Bill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:48 PM

    Maybe not as frightened as the Animal Liberation Front – who you refuse to condemn, Charlie – made this employee feel?
    April 22, 2011 – WARNING FOR FUR RETAILER
    reported anonymously:

    “A Store Is Born sells vintage fur in Dublin. That is NOT ok. We left a note pinned with a knife to the bike of one staff member asking to stop selling fur or expect us to take action. Next visit will be at your home in 10 Cherryfield Avenue Upper.

    ALF Ireland”
    http://www.animalliberationfront.com/ALFront/Actions-Ireland/BitebackReports2008.htm

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    Mute Brian Power
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    Jul 29th 2014, 6:48 PM

    Well said people don’t want to hear this side to busy on there high horses

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    Mute BrianT34
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    Jul 29th 2014, 7:01 PM

    Ignore “Yuba Bill”…he’s a well known “fieldsport” supporter who continually changes his mask to give the impression that are lots of sad folks like him. He has failed to condemn ANY of the horrific activities that people stage in the name of “fieldsport”. He has no argument that stands up…so he resorts to distraction. What groups like the “ALF” get up to has no bearing whatsoever on the essential question: is hare coursing a form of organised animal cruelty and should it be banned? He might as well argue that house breaking or assault is okay because some Guards who investigate such offences behave dishonourably. It’s a non-argument and a silly spiteful diversionary tactic that he persistently uses to take attention off the true nature of blood sports.

    I’ve whacked Yuba in dozens of online debates but he keeps crawling back for more. He’s a glutton for punishment, but I wouldn’t wish even him to suffer as the animals do in blood sports.

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    Mute Yuba Bill
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    Jul 29th 2014, 7:56 PM

    Excuse me, while I get back up from that case of mistaken identity and crawl back for more.
    If I am not mistaken, BrianT34 denounces the actions of the ALF, who were in action here in Ireland as recently as June 2014. I just wish the Irish Council Against blood sports would condemn the ALF terror tactics – wasn’t there even some ALF meeting in Bachelor’s Walk with a loyalist bomb maker?
    I can’t understand people pleading for animal welfare associating with these type of people.

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    Mute Pearse Brannigan
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:43 PM

    Tara why would you take pleasure in watching a hare, if it manages to escape, being frightened to death ?

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    Mute Ciaran Morgan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:04 PM

    Dave Hogan, animal cruelty has been linked to human violence by many studies. Jeffrey Damher enjoyed cutting the heads off cats and dogs, as you enjoy watching the suffering of hares I’d start worrying if I was you.

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    Mute richard fennessy
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    Jul 29th 2014, 4:18 PM

    True ciaran I s p c a and I s p c c share data on people

    19
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    Mute Ross Eichmann
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:06 PM

    A cruel and sadistic past-time, only a derranged sociopath would take pleasure in capturing, terrorising and maiming these inoffensive and defenceless little animals. It should be banned outright.

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    Mute Ross Eichmann
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:02 PM

    Ridiculous and cruel activity, it should be banned outright. Only a derranged sadistic loser would get a kick out of capturing, terrorising and injuring a gentle, defenceless and innocent little animal.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:47 PM

    While never been to a coursing event, it’s not my thing, same as horse racing etc, people need to get over themselves with the “cute defenseless animal ” argument, it’s very shallow.

    If you ignore the fact (and most reasonable people should ) that the animal is “cute” then the act of coursing is very similar to other pursuits such as fishing, horse racing etc.

    And with regards defenseless animals, 95% or more people in this country eat defenseless (and yes, some of them shockingly are even cute) and dint give it a second thought.

    A bit of perspective and less hypocrisy would probably help the debate a bit. Again, no interest in coursing myself, but go’s you get some real hypocrites in these debates.

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    Mute Ross Eichmann
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    Jul 30th 2014, 8:25 AM

    Eamon – there is a difference between eating an animal to feed yourself and happily watching one being thrown around by dogs after being captured for amusement so that’s a very foolish comparison

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Jul 31st 2014, 10:10 AM

    Ross,

    I dont think you really read my post!. First off, I highlighted how people seemed to get upset of coursing because the animal was “cute” and “defenseless”, yet dont have an issue with fishing, horse racing etc. I dont participate in coursing, but I do fish, and would have a mild interest in horses, so how can I justify those two pursuits and condem coursing ? Angling for catch and release causes actualy physical harm to the fish, and race horses often die during races, while not intentional, it does happen.

    Where is the difference ? Does everyone on this forum who condems coursing and want it banned apply the same logic to other pursuits ? So, while I have no interest in coursing, I cant really condem it, cos personaly I would be a hypocryte.

    Now, the food argument…. How many people on this forum, and in general who decry coursing because of animal cruelty issues, walk into the local supermarket and purchase the best looking, or best priced slab of meat wihtout worrying about where it came from, or the welfare of the animal that was used to make it ?

    How many people on one side scream animal cruelty, and then will buy a premade chicken tikka dinner without giving a crap about the welfare of the chicken contained within the package ? And I am not talking about the fact that the animal was killed for food, I am talking about the conditions in which the animal was raised, and how it was slaughtered! How many people genuinely care or take the time to consider it, or spend the additional time and/or money to ensure that the chicken tikka they eat came from an animal that was well cared for before and during slaughter!

    Neither is a “foolish comparison” Ross….

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    Mute Ross Eichmann
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    Jul 31st 2014, 1:11 PM

    Eamon I did read your comment, carefully, and know what you’re trying to do. You trying to equate participating in hare coursing to the consumption of meat. You also ask how come people don’t have a problem with horse racing or fishing as a “sport” – I can’t speak for everyone but I also find horse racing, cock-fighting, greyhoung racing, fox hunting and recreational fishing as equally abhorrent as hare coursing. People should only kill animals A. to feed / clothe themselves or B. in self-defence. Animals are part of our enviroment, part of nature and should not be mis-treated and abused for the amusement of a bunch of toothless inbreds.

    In regard to the meat industry, I think it needs to be more heavily regulated and I would bad Kosher and Halal butchering as well as factory farming.

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Jul 31st 2014, 1:44 PM

    It would appear that you still fail to understand my point ‘re food. I am not equating food with coursing, I am simply pointing out the hypocrisy of people who one one side of their mount talk of their disgust over animal cruelty but care little to nothing about the treatment of animals they consume. I hope that’s pretty clear as I’ve said it three times now, it’s about peoples reaction, it’s not a comparison of the two activities.

    My point and actual comparison of coursing to angling and horse racing still stands correct. While you may condemn all of those activities , the general public don’t. It just seems strange to me that one individual who pulls a fish out of its environment using a sharp hook by its mouth, then to realease it back into the water is viewed as more at one with nature and participating in a harmless activity, but if a hare is involved it’s a different matter altogether and the participant is a cruel sadistic monster. The aim is the same is it not, yet the pain inflicted on the fish is much worse I would imagine.

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    Mute Grace Jeaney
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:03 PM

    Barbaric

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    Mute Reagan Smash
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:33 PM

    Worthless, smelly hippies

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    Mute Danny Rigg
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    Jul 29th 2014, 2:37 PM

    You’d fit in quite well in the Colosseum

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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:48 PM

    And I am neither worthless, smelly or a hippie Smashie. I think some of the above comments have described you well enough though.

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    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:52 PM

    I’m not a fan but not opposed to it either.

    For all those singing about animal welfare…..if you really cared, shouldn’t you be more upset about the amount of makeup being tested on cute little bunnies………or the thousands of animals IN IRELAND being used for pharmaceutical experiments?

    Just saying

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    Mute Jesi Connell
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    Jul 29th 2014, 10:51 PM

    Who says they aren’t???

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    Mute Mick Madden
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:11 PM

    Typical town people trying to tell country folk how to run their lives . !!

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:29 PM

    This culchie abhors bloodsports. Vast majority of country folk are civilised and don’t get a kick out of hares being brutalised.

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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:43 PM

    I’m country folk, have been all my life, and I find it offensive.

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    Mute Jesi Connell
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    Jul 29th 2014, 10:56 PM

    I live in the country and I’m 100% against blood sports.

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    Mute Pearse Brannigan
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    Aug 23rd 2015, 4:50 PM

    Mick, you use the classic tactic of Town versus Country in this discussion. Well it won’t work. Individuals have their own values regardless of their residence.

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    Mute Sue Redmond
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    Jul 29th 2014, 6:18 PM

    This needs to stop its cruel and not necessary get a decoy instead of a live animal.

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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Jul 29th 2014, 8:20 PM

    Animal Welfare ‘Irish Style’…… where the hare is a ‘protected species’ yet we still give out licences so they can be terrorised, maimed and killed for the pleasure of idiots

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    Mute Margaret Doyle Hanley
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    Jul 29th 2014, 7:03 PM

    Our Government are quick to follow Britain re water tax, property tax etc, so why can’t they follow them when it comes to banning hunting??

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    Mute scartboy
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    Jul 29th 2014, 11:18 PM

    Minority groups need to get ignored here. Coursing was around before any of the people here that are commenting and will be here after them. Enjoy a day coursing with an open mind then comment

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Jul 29th 2014, 5:52 PM

    Richard

    Where are you getting your information about the ispca and the ispcc sharing information ?

    I think this is innacurate, and probably against data protection laws of true. Can you tell us where this information came from ?

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Jul 29th 2014, 6:06 PM

    Case proven. My question asking Richard where he got info about ispcc and ispca sharing Info on people was given a thumbs down !! How can you thumbs down a question, hilarious!!

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    Mute Eamon O'Gorman
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    Jul 31st 2014, 4:06 PM

    And again :-)

    This is really red top stuff!!

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    Mute Mickey Mulvihill
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    Jul 30th 2014, 9:50 AM

    Has anyone speaking out against coursing here actually ever been to a meeting?

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    Mute ✨TOBI✨
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    Jul 30th 2014, 12:29 AM

    Just ban it pure and simple time to get with the times. No animal should be put in fear traumatised etc. It’s inhumane to see any animal treated in this way old traditions my arse.

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    Mute trevor duffin
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    Jul 29th 2014, 11:15 PM

    What’s with all this in the UK …and else where this that and the other happens. If you love the UK or wherever so much go live there. We have old Celtic customs and traditions still alive. Maybe we like dogs competing against each other to catch up with a hare. Maybe we don’t want to be the same as everyone else.

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    Mute Jeanette Appleton-maxwell
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    Jul 30th 2014, 8:54 AM

    Unfortunately Ireland’s attitude to Animal Welfare is positively medieval.Cruelty seem to be seen by most as a socially acceptable human right and anyone who speaks against it is seen as an imbecile.Perhaps we should use the supporters of this so called sport,as the quarry and use, a couple of say, Dogo Argentino as the game dogs and let them appreciate the joys of the “Sport”for themselves,maybe even use some of their offspring,so that they can derive the greatest enjoyment from the event.I wonder if they’d enjoy it then.Same sport just different pray ;)Its about time our society took responsibility for our lack of respect for other animals and also got control of our greed with regard to their exploitation..

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    Mute Martin O' Neill
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    Jul 30th 2014, 1:19 AM

    A so called sport, participated in by Neanderthals! I mean Vinnie Jones is a fan?????????

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    Mute Mickey Mulvihill
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    Jul 30th 2014, 9:48 AM

    Vinnie Jones is also a fan of soccer and acting in movies, your point being?

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    Mute Simon Williamson
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    Nov 10th 2015, 2:31 AM

    Journal morning meeting : Now people, loads of losers jumped all over a coursing story yesterday, let’s publish 3 a day for the next week, get those clicks coming. Our injured puppy stories are fading now. Let’s get another few Sinn Fein and Irish Water ones out before Thursday… Oh, and keep scouring twitter and Facebook for “outrage” , preferably where there’s a feminist agenda at play…

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