125 Irish Politicians have voted to continue the annual abuse of the Irish hare in the Irish countryside.
A Dáil vote was held on Wednesday 8th July on a bill introduced by Paul Murphy that would outlaw hare coursing.
The Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020, aimed to prohibit the coursing of hares with dogs by amending the Wildlife Act 1976 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, Aontu and Independent Ireland TDs voted against the bill, while 24 TDs representing the political parties: People before Profit-Solidarity, Labour, Social Democrats, Green Party, 100% Redress Party, and one Independent TD, voted in favour.
Irish Politicians on Banning Hare Coursing
Paul Murphy speaking during the debate said, “Tonight, TDs have an opportunity to ban the barbaric practice of hare coursing; to join the North and the rest of Europe in saying that terrorising animals is not entertainment or sport; to stop thousands of Irish hares being captured from the wild every year, crammed into crates and then into enclosures with other hares despite them being solitary animals; and to then make them run for their lives from dogs that are ten times their size, with hares being pinned to the ground, thrown into the air and killed every single year. We know that many Fianna Fáil TDs have told constituents that they are opposed to hare coursing and want to vote against it.”
During Leader Questions held before the vote, Mr Murphy asked Micheál Martin, Taoiseach, about his view on hare coursing. “What is your position, Taoiseach? Are you personally in favour of hare coursing? Do you think it is okay to torture wild animals for fun or for gambling? Are you going to let your TDs vote with their consciences or is this a case of Fianna Fáil running with the hares and hunting with the hounds; saying one thing to one audience and then doing another thing?”
“We have heard again and again that this industry is highly regulated,” Deputy Murphy continued. “The whole essence of the thing is terrorising hares. It does not have animal welfare at its heart.
Despite what a Fine Gael TD tried to suggest in the debate on Thursday, the hares actually don’t enjoy it. They are not running for the laugh; they are running because they are utterly terrified by dogs that are ten times their size.”
Deputy Murphy told the Taoiseach that “a new poll published this morning confirms the vast majority of people right across this country are opposed to hare coursing – we know there is no urban-rural divide on this issue despite what the tiny minority of people who enjoy torturing animals try to make out.”
Mr Martin said there are regulations for hare coursing and penalties for those who deviate from them. A ban may lead people to do it illegally, without such regulation.
Hare Coursing
Pro-coursing supporters claimed that a 2022 independent economic report found that hare coursing contributes around €70 million to the Irish economy. Despite an extensive trawl, no evidence to support this claim has been found.
Mr Murphy raised this issue at Leaders Questions and asked Micheál Martin, about the report. Mr Martin said he was unware of a report containing this claim.
Animal Welfare Organisations
Animal welfare organisation have expressed disappointment at the outcome of the vote.
The Irish Council Against Bloodsports ICABS said, “The result of the Dáil vote is an absolute insult to the vast majority in Ireland who want this barbaric bloodsport banned. We will not stop until Irish hares are fully protected from the cruelty of coursing. The campaign for a ban continues.
The National Animal Rights Association NARA commented, “ Despite the fact that 77% of people in Ireland support a ban, these parties chose to protect the wishes of a depraved minority of animal abusers. Let’s make sure we never let them forget what they’ve done. Brace yourselves, Irish Coursing Club. We’re coming for you.”
The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty NSPCA have also expressed the view that hare coursing is animal cruelty and it should be outlawed.
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