ICABS - Campaigns

Campaigns: Ban Foxhunting

With foxhunting banned in England, Scotland and Wales, Ireland has become one of the last remaining countries in the world to allow fox hunting with hounds.

This despite the fact that opinion polls have shown that a majority of Irish people want foxhunting made illegal.

In 1998, a so-called Code of Conduct for registered foxhunting packs was approved by the Minister for Agriculture. This farcical document eliminated none of the cruelty which makes foxhunting one of Ireland's most cruel and inhumane activities. Foxes are still dug out of the ground and attacked by vicious, trained terriers. Foxes are still chased by packs dogs and torn apart when caught.

If a domestic animal was abused the same way that foxes are abused by foxhunts, it would be a criminal offence under current legislation.

Video: Foxhunting cruelty

Foxhunting

Appeal to the Minister for Agriculture

Please join us in appealing to the Minister for Agriculture to give wild animals the same protection that is given to domestic animals. Tell the Minister that since all animals are capable of suffering, all animals should be protected from cruelty. Urge the Minister to amend the Protection of Animals Act so that foxes and all wild creatures are protected from unnecessary cruelty.

Minister Brendan Smith
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture House,
Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie
Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510.
Fax: 01-661 1013.

Appeal to the Environment Minister

Please also contact the Minister with responsibility for the Wildlife Act. Urge him to amend the Wildlife Act so that foxes are given full protection from the cruelty of hunting with hounds.

Minister John Gormley
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House, Dublin 1.

Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403.
Fax: 01 878 8640.

Appeal to all Irish politicians

Please join us in telling the Irish Government that it is now time to replace foxhunting with the humane alternative - drag hunting.

Drag hunting sees the hounds chasing an artificial lure instead of a live animal. This form of "hunting" is already practised successfully by a few groups in Ireland. In a modern and civilised country like Ireland, there should be no place for foxhunting, particularly when a transition to drag hunting would be simple.

We desperately need your help to convince the government that it is time to ban foxhunting. Please write to all of your local politicians and ask them to express their opposition to this blood sport.

If possible, get your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. We need as much help with this campaign as possible.

Write to your TD at:
Dáil Éireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889.

Write to your Senator at:
Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623.

For the names and contact details of politicians, please visit the Irish Government Website.

Photos: Fox hunting cruelty

Please click on the pictures to view them in full-size.

More information about blood sports

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