We are calling on Sinn Fein to back a ban on cruel hare coursing. Despite the suffering, injury and death caused to Irish hares and the fact that many party representatives are in favour of a ban, Sinn Fein's current stance is that they "oppose an outright ban". Please sign and share this petition and urge the party to change its policy and come out in favour of a ban on hare coursing.

Hare coursing is illegal in most countries, including England, Scotland, Wales and also in Northern Ireland. It continues in the Republic of Ireland, even though the vast majority of citizens want it outlawed. A RED C poll has shown that 77% of citizens want coursing banned (with just 9% disagreeing with a ban).

In coursing, hares are forcefully netted from the countryside, kept in captivity for weeks or months and eventually forced to run for their lives in front of pairs of greyhounds. Hares caught and mauled by the dogs suffer painful injuries such as broken bones and dislocated hips.

Using live animals as bait for dogs would normally be a serious offence of animal cruelty but the government has provided immunity from prosecution for those involved by inserting an exemption for coursing into animal welfare legislation.

Witness the cruelty of hare coursing at
http://youtu.be/4LrFGNrL0rA

ACTION ALERT

It’s time for Sinn Féin to respect the wishes of the majority and reverse its current pro-coursing position. Contact Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald TD and the party's other TDs and urge them to pledge support for Paul Murphy TD's Animal Health & Welfare (Ban on Hare Coursing) Bill 2020 which is expected back in the Dail in 2022.

Mary Lou McDonald TD
Leader, Sinn Féin
Tel: (01) 727 7102
Email: marylou.mcdonald@oireachtas.ie
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryLouMcDonald
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MaryLouMcDonaldTD

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