Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hare Coursing.

Tony Gregory

Ceist:

434 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of hares killed or injured at each coursing venue during the 1997-98 season to date; the procedure, if any, in place to treat injured hares; the nature and cause of the injuries sustained; the number of course meetings held; the number at which wildlife officers were present for monitoring purposes; and the person or body from whom the statistics for dead and injured hares are obtained. [1520/98]

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mr. Walsh):

The following are details of the number of hares reported killed at coursing meetings during the 1997-98 season up to 14 January 1998.

SeptemberLiscannor 4	OctoberCharleville 1Waterford 1
Total 4	Total 2
November	December	January
Cork 2	Old Kilcullen 1	Galbally 2
Roscrea 1	Rathdowney 5
Clonmel 5	Dungarvan 2
Mallow 1	Millstreet 2
Ennis 2	Nenagh 5
Westport 3	Mooncoin 2
East Donegal 2	Borrisoleigh 5
Borris in Ossry 2
Westmeath 1
Tubbercurry 1
Banton and Careys
Cross 1
Rathcormac 1
Tradaree 2
Total 24	Total 22	Total 2

Statistics are not available on the number of hares injured or on the nature and cause of injuries sustained. However, it is clear from reports of occurrences at meetings that the extent of injuries to hares was relatively small.

The ICC has 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 73.

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 it is continuing to monitor a random sample of coursing meetings. Veterinary inspectors from my Department are present, for monitoring purposes, at roughly 10 per cent of meetings.

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.