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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hare Coursing.

Tony Gregory

Question:

271 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of hares killed or injured at each coursing venue during the 1996-1997 season; the procedure, if any, in place to treat injured hares; the nature and cause of the injuries sustained; the number of coursing meetings held and the number at which wildlife officers were present for monitoring purposes; and the person-body from whom the statistics for dead and injured hares are obtained. [4442/97]

The following are details of the number of hares reported killed at coursing meetings during the 1996-97 season up to 5 February 1997.

October

Loughrea

1

Charleville

2

Miltown Malbay

1

Castleisland

1

5

November

Clonmel/Kilsheelan

1

Gorey

2

Carlow

1

Cavan

1

Balbriggan

2

Killimer/Kilrush

1

Cappaquin

1

Tradaree

3

12

December

Nenagh

1

East Donegal

7 (2 meetings)

Borrisoleigh

1

Cork

2

Wexford and District

2

13

January

East Donegal

3

Statistics are not available on the number of hares injured and the nature and cause of the injuries sustained. However, it is clear from reports of occurrences at meetings that the extent of injuries to hares was relatively small.
The ICC have veterinarians and experts in hare husbandry assigned to each coursing club to oversee generally the care of the hares while being held in captivity.
The number of coursing meetings held to date is 77.
While my Department does not have any information on the number of coursing meetings at which wildlife officers were present the National Parks and Wildlife Service has indicated that they are continuing to monitor a random sample of coursing meetings.
Veterinary inspectors from my Department attended roughly 10 per cent of meetings held this season.
Most of the statistics used by my Department on hare kills etc. at coursing meetings are supplied by the Irish Coursing Club in weekly reports. When veterinary inspectors from my Department attend meetings they also furnish reports and information is cross-checked with the Irish Coursing Club reports.
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