Hunts killing off our precious heritage

IN this Christian and supposedly civilised country there will be widespread cruelty inflicted on wild animals over the Christmas holiday season.

This reaches a peak on St Stephen’s day, which is a traditional time for hunts meets and hare coursing events.

On this day, there will be an increased countrywide organised assault on our already hard-pressed wildlife by a minority of the population.

No Christmas respite is given to wildlife by bloodsports followers who ruthlessly violate them by their obscene actions. In a sense, bloodsports are a pursuit that allows human beings a holiday from being human.

The actions of the Irish hare coursing community have been well documented. Many hares will end their lives for the Christmas entertainment of people who are strangers to compassion and respect for life. The fox hunting community use the St Stephen’s day meets as a major public relations exercise. The public is shown the Christmas card image of fox hunting; red-coated riders throwing back glasses of hot port surrounded by packs of big lovable hounds who demand affection.

What is kept hidden is the sole reason for this gathering, that is to hunt down, terrorise and kill one of nature’s most harmless animals — the fox.

Fox hunting with packs of hounds is organised pre-mediated animal cruelty. There is no justification for it; be it on moral, economic or cultural grounds.

It is now time for our legislators to act to outlaw bloodsports. Our wildlife is part of our precious heritage. We keep it in trust for future generations.

John Tierney

Association of Hunt Saboteurs

Dublin 1