East Cork group to petition landowners to end fox hunting

People in Lahard will deliver their petition on Saturday ahead of the Dáil vote on the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill

One local person in Lahard said: 'Most of the community are sickened and are completely against fox hunting, in particular the digging out of foxes.' Stock picture: PA

A small community in East Cork will deliver a signed petition this weekend to local landowners calling for an end to fox hunting after a series of “barbaric” killings of the wild animal.

Locals in Lahard say they are “appalled” by the ongoing suffering of the mammals which includes the digging out of fox dens.

In one case, a local witnessed a man sending his terriers into a den which resulted in a fox being dragged out by the dogs and then thrown by the owner to a pack of hounds as people watched on.

“It was absolutely horrific,” said one witness who did not wish to be named. “I saw the whole thing. An hour earlier I was feeding that fox in my garden.

Most of the community are sickened and are completely against fox hunting, in particular the digging out of foxes.

“We are sick and tired of seeing poor foxes run ragged after being chased and then killed.

“That is not sport, it is blood lust.

“The community is being vigilant and we run a WhatsApp group and are keeping an eye on foxes who are in the area.”

Animal rights groups, conservationists, and rural advocates joined Ruth Coppinger and Paul Murphy outside Leinster House earlier this week to call for a ban on fox hunting ahead of a Dáil vote on the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The group has received 45 names for the petition — which is the majority of the households in the small neighbourhood.

They plan to deliver them to local landowners on Saturday.

The letter asks neighbours and landowners for “support in preventing fox hunting and in particular the heinous practice of digging out when the fox has gone to ground”.

The letter continues: “The practice is not only outdated but also causes unnecessary harm to wildlife and disrupts the peace of our community.

“In the spirit of compassion, respect for all sentient beings, and shared responsibility for our environment, we encourage you to protect your land from such activities.

“By working together, we can preserve the natural balance of our local area and create a more harmonious coexistence with nature.”

The community is speaking out as a proposal to ban the hunting of foxes is coming before the Dáil later this month.

People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger is holding a debate calling for a ban on animal welfare grounds.