Cruelty of bloodsports must be recognised

Disturbing photos have surfaced this month which show the desperate measures Irish wildlife is forced to take during hunts.

In the images posted online, a pursued fox can be seen leaping from the bank of a river before falling into the water and splashing towards the opposite shore. Hunt supporters expressed disappointment that death had been delayed for this terrorised creature, with comments including “a shotgun would sort him out”.

It is not known what became of this particular fox after he pulled his drenched body from the river and resumed his frantic run.

Typically, foxes are relentlessly chased until exhaustion slows them down and allows the pack of hounds to close in and attack.

The next government must recognise the cruelty of bloodsports and the damage they do to the country’s image. A ban is long overdue.

Philip Kiernan

Irish Council Against Blood Sports

Mullingar

Co Westmeath