It would be bizarre for Coalition MPs to vote for a repeal of the Hunting Act which bans the cruel sport of hare coursing and has done so for the last six years when politicans in Northern Ireland have voted to ban hare coursing. Logic and compassion dictate that there is no case to repeal a ban which protects wildlife from cruel sports involving dogs.
A permanent ban on hare coursing events has been introduced in Northern Ireland.
It is an offence to organise or attend a meeting or possess the animals for that purpose.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood said: “Hare coursing events should not take place in a modern, progressive, civilised society. We all have a responsibility to protect our wildlife and certainly I want to do everything in my power to do that.
Irish hares hop for joy!
Written by Mary of The League Against Cruel Sports on 26 August, 2011 : 14:27
Last week hares across Northern Ireland could hop for joy as the long awaited ban on hare coursing was made official and passed into law by the Environment Minister. This law brings about an end to the activities of two hare coursing clubs in Northern Ireland. This is a great victory for the League and all our members and supporters who have campaigned tirelessly for many years to get this cruel and outdated ‘sport’ made illegal.
Northern Ireland is the last region of the UK to ban hare coursing. This calls for celebration, as a victory for animal welfare and common decency. However, as the campaign to bring about an end to hare coursing in Northern Ireland comes to this conclusion, my concerns and thoughts return once again to Ireland.
Sadly it is only hares in the North of Ireland which have gained refuge from being coursed. In contrast, permission to net hares for the purpose of hare coursing in the Republic of Ireland is still legal. It is tragic that a hare could be protected in the North and yet another be completely unprotected in the South. The border provides a couple of degrees of separation between protected hares and those permitted to be savagely taken for hare coursing.
To find out more and to take action on hare coursing in the South of Ireland go to the League’s partner organisation the Irish Council Against Blood Sports. I hope that the ban in the Northern Ireland paves the way for our friends in the South to get a similar victory sometime in the not so distant future.
