Ban on hare coursing in NI

Published Wednesday, 17 August 2011

The Environment Minister has banned hare coursing in Northern Ireland.

Alex Attwood said it comes into effect on Wednesday, and will make it an offence to organise or participate in any form of the practice.

Hare coursing involves chasing the animals with greyhounds or other hunting dogs.

It has been the centre of much controversy in recent years as critics campaigned for the so-called 'blood sport' to be made illegal.

The minister has welcomed the ban as a key part of plans to protect endangered wildlife in NI.

"Hare coursing events should not take place in a modern, progressive, civilised society," Mr Attwood said.

"While hare coursing events in Northern Ireland has been prevented for a number of years on a temporary basis, the ban I am introducing is a permanent one and a positive step forward.

"We all have a responsibility to protect our wildlife and certainly I want to do everything in my power to do that."

The ban is to be introduced amongst other bills in the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act.

Comments

8 Comments

sick in ards wrote (279 days ago):

re johns comment, weather you like hair coursing or not[ your language]its a cruel sport and any decent person will be glad that is being made illegal, disgusting to try and call this a sport.

another idiot in ards wrote (279 days ago):

john i think that you would be better going to adult education classes rather than hare coursing, weather it would do you any good?you still seem to have the intelligence of a wee lad,maybe you have had two many hairs.

Val in USA wrote (280 days ago):

Bravo to Northern Ireland for baning hare coursing. SPAIN are you listening? Each year tens of thousands of Spanish Greyhounds 'Galgos' are abandoned, tortured and killed in the most barbaric ways after hunting season ends in Spain. These dogs are treated like garbage from the day they are born. Spanish tradition: the more cruel method of killing the Galgos, the more the hunter feels redeemed. This must stop!

Geraldine Murphy in Dublin wrote (280 days ago):

Yes indeed, what a joyless and cynical individual you must be to take enjoyment from dog racing and having dogs rip another animal to shreds. Methinks you may still be a "wee boy" in your mentality. Arrested development at its strongest I'm afraid. Thank God you aren't running N. Ireland with such an attitude. And by the way, you aren't welcome down south.

Jamesbelfast in Belfast wrote (280 days ago):

In response to John. I think Mr Attwoods comment:- "Hare coursing events should not take place in a modern, progressive, civilised society" applies to you and clearly sends a message to those who would try an defend such a barbaric activity. Whether (weather) dog racing (raceing) or not. LOL!!

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Ban on hare coursing in NI

The Environment Minister has banned hare coursing in Northern Ireland.