The blocking of fox earths and badger setts to prevent pursued foxes from escaping underground is just one of the cruelties of foxhunting in Ireland. If a fox does manage to find refuge below ground, the hunt's terriermen are called - they send terriers down the hole in the ground to attack and corner the fox. The earth is then dug away from above and the fox is brutally killed. Other foxes are killed by the pack of hounds - when they are caught, the hounds bite into their flesh and tear them apart. Foxhunting must be banned in Ireland. Please join the campaign for a foxhunting ban at http://www.banbloodsports.com/campaigns.htm ACTION ALERTS Please join us in appealing to the Minister for Agriculture to give wild animals the same protection that is given to domestic animals. Tell the Minister that since all animals are capable of suffering, all animals should be protected from cruelty. Demand the removal of an exemption for foxhunting from Ireland's Animal Health and Welfare Act. Simon Coveney, TD Minister for Agriculture Department of Agriculture Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Email: minister@agriculture.gov.ie Tel: 01-607 2000 or LoCall 1890-200510. Fax: 01-661 1013. Contact An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and An Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore. Ask them to show compassion for foxes and hares and ban hunting and coursing. An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, Dublin 2 Telephone: 01-6194020 Fax: 01-6764048 An Tanaiste, Eamon Gilmore Office of the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Iveagh House, 80 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 6183566 (Dail) Tel: 01 408 2000 (Iveagh House) Fax: 01 408 2400 Email Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie,eamon.gilmore@oireachtas.ie Sign our "Ban Blood Sports in Ireland" petition https://www.change.org/petitions/ban-blood-sports-in-ireland Appeal to all Irish politicians Please join us in telling the Irish Government that it is now time to replace foxhunting with the humane alternative - drag hunting. Drag hunting sees the hounds chasing an artificial lure instead of a live animal. This form of "hunting" is already practised successfully by a few groups in Ireland. In a modern and civilised country like Ireland, there should be no place for foxhunting, particularly when a transition to drag hunting would be simple. Please contact all your local politicians and ask them to express their opposition to this blood sport. Encourage your friends, family and workmates to contact them too. Write to your TD at: Dail Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 337 889. Write to your Senator at: Seanad Eireann, Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-618 3000 or 1890 732 623. Find out the names of your TDs and their email addresses http://www.banbloodsports.com/contact-tds.htm

• published: 21 Mar 2014
• views: 67