Good reasons in favour of hare coursing

John Fitzgerald (Letters, Mar 4) complained that there was no excuse for hare coursing.

Scientific studies have shown that in areas where coursing clubs operate, the Irish hare population levels are between ten and one hundred times higher than in comparable areas where coursing clubs do not operate.

The studies put this down to better feeding of the hares in captivity, control of their natural predators, better veterinary care, all allowing them an advantage when returned to the wild.