Hare to lion comparison is a red herring

I respond to John Fitzgerald’s letter from 6 August regarding his flawed attempt to compare the deliberately illegal and intentional killing of endangered big game in Africa to highly regulated, transparent, and observable hare coursing in rural Ireland.

It is a complete invention for him to suggest the Irish hare is endangered when the most recent habitat survey reported a population of more than half a million in the ROI.

The Irish Coursing Club and its members have invested time, resources and expertise in reaching for the highest welfare standards in the capture, holding, coursing and release of our native hare.

Following the conclusion of the 2014/15 coursing season our release figure reached an all-time high of 99.49%. We aim for 100%.

The ICC’s individual clubs have rolled up their sleeves to work year-round improving hare habitats and protecting hares from the consequences of extremes in weather, lack of food and the most significant threat to the hare, the act of illegal hunting.

DJ Histon

CEO

Irish Coursing Club