ISPCA calls for an end to the issuing of Hare Coursing Licences
by Emily Sheehan
The ISPCA is calling on the Irish Government to end the issuing of hare coursing licences and put an end to the cruel practice.
The ISPCA is strongly opposed to Irish hares being captured from their natural habitat, handled, transported, and kept in captivity until they are released to be chased by dogs (muzzled or not), before being returned to the wild, if they survive.
In a statement issued by the ISCPA, it was noted that they "believe that allowing this practice to continue is not in line with Ireland’s Animal Welfare Strategy published by the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM) in 2021"
ISPCA CEO Dr Cyril Sullivan said: “Ireland remains one of three countries in all of Europe that continues to allow legal hare coursing, which is shameful."
"It is well known that the capture and handling of wild animals causes distress, and inflicting unnecessary suffering on innocent Irish hares is totally unacceptable in modern society."
"During the 23/24 coursing season, more than 3,000 Hares were captured from the wild and subjected to being coursed."
"Of those, over 100 were hit or tossed by dogs, more than 130 were pinned, and over 120 hares needed veterinary attention, with some dying or being euthanised, as a result of injuries sustained."
"Under the Wildlife Act 1976, the Irish hare is a protected species, making it illegal to hunt, kill, trap or sell them. There should be no hesitation in ending this appalling activity by putting a stop to issuing these licences. Ending hare coursing would be a progressive move and one that shows Ireland taking animal welfare seriously."
Additionally, the ISCPA expressed concern about illegal hare coursing.
In 2016 the ISPCA and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on issues where wildlife offences and animal welfare offences would overlap, and to adopt a multi-agency approach to combatting such illegal activities.
This MOU is currently under review with a view to strengthening the working relationship between the two agencies.
In the statement issued, the ISPCA noted that they "would like to see more funding for the NPWS to tackle illegal hunting rather than funding ‘legal’ hare coursing."
"Hare coursing is not acceptable in a progressive Ireland in the 21st century and it is time the welfare of all animals was prioritised instead of an outdated practice. We call the Government to do the right thing and stop issuing these licences."