An Irish Council Against Blood Sports Newsletter.

June-July 2009
For more campaign news, updates and more action alerts, please visit our websites:
www.banbloodsports.com, www.youtube.com/icabs, www.myspace.com/banbloodsports,
www.bebo.com/banbloodsports, www.twitter.com/banbloodsports

01. University equestrian club told not to engage in foxhunting

Thank you to everyone who contacted University College Cork about the presence of UCC
Equestrian Club members at a foxhunt in February. We are very pleased to report that a
positive response received from the university has clarified that the foxhunt outing was "not
an official club activity" and that the club has been instructed to not engage in fox hunting
activities.

ICABS has thanked University President, Michael B Murphy for investigating the matter and for
forwarding us a copy of a letter he received from the UCC Director of Sport & Recreation.

In this letter the director states: "UCC Equestrian Club competes in a number of equestrian-related
activities such as show jumping, dressage, tetrathlon to name but a few. The club does not actively
promote fox hunting. In relation to the foxhunt in question, I have been informed by the equestrian
club that it was individual members who attended the event from a personal perspective and it was
not an organised club trip."

Referring to the fact that the individuals were wearing club jackets displaying the college and club
logo, she added: "I have advised them that this was inappropriate because it was not an official club
activity. No funding was contributed to supporting these individuals attending the event from club
funds. I have written to the club and instructed them not to engage in fox hunting activities as a club
and if individuals within the club wish to attend such activities to refrain from using club gear."

In our original appeal to UCC we highlighted how a majority of Irish people want foxhunting outlawed.
We quoted from an Irish Field report which outlined how several foxes were disturbed and chased
during the hunt in question. One was found in a quarry and was forced to "drop down into a crack in
the limestone" to evade capture by the pack of hounds. Another fox was described as "clearly feeling
pressed" and was chased down a hill, across a farm lane, into gorse, under some sheds, onto a hill
and through fields of slurry. The hunters and hounds, it was reported, continued to "hunt him down
the valley" where he was marked to ground.

ICABS greatly welcomes the response from UCC. Please join us in our appeal to other universities to
follow this example.

02. Rangers & hunting holidays issue still being examined

Over three weeks after the Sunday Times reported allegations that NPWS rangers are involved
in the organisation of hunting holidays in Ireland, the issue is still "under examination". This
is according to a reply by Minister John Gormley to a Dail Question from Deputy Finian
McGrath. Please read the Dail Q&A below and respond to our urgent action alert.

Dail Question 170 - Answered on 24th June 2009

Finian McGrath: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the
outcome of his investigation into allegations that members of the National Parks and Wildlife Service
have breached the Civil Code of Standards and Behaviour by organising commercial shooting
holidays for tourists, and the action being taken against the rangers involved.

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government (Mr John Gormley): These
allegations are under examination in my Department.

URGENT ACTION ALERT - SAMPLE LETTER

(If you have time, please compose your own personal letter. Otherwise, send the short sample letter
below. Be assertive, but polite, in all correspondence. Thank you.)

Minister John Gormley

Department of the Environment
Custom House, Dublin 1.
Email: minister@environ.ie
Tel: 01 888 2403. Fax: 01 878 8640.

Dear Minister Gormley:

I am writing in relation to allegations published in the Sunday Times of May 31st that National Parks
and Wildlife Service conservation rangers are involved in the organisation of hunting holidays in
Ireland. I urge you to thoroughly investigate these allegations and to take appropriate action. I wish to
be informed about the outcome of the investigation. Thank you. I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,
[*** Your Name and Location ***]

03. Association asked to keep hunts out of agricultural shows

ICABS has appealed to the Irish Shows Association (the representative body for Agricultural
Shows in Ireland) to act to prevent hunting groups from participating in agricultural shows.

Drawing attention to a foxhound demonstration scheduled to take place at a midlands show, we

pointed out that such dogs are normally to be seen terrorising wildlife across the countryside -
chasing foxes and hares, catching them and eviscerating them.

We expressed concerns about show organisers who deem it appropriate to give hunts an opportunity
to present a pretty picture of what is actually the most horrendous of cruelty.

"Hunts are also responsible for causing inconvenience, stress and damage within the farming
community," we added. "During hunting season we are constantly contacted by landowners who are
trying to keep hunters off their land - they are concerned about the safety of their animals, damage to
pastures, breaching of boundaries, etc. Because of this incompatibility between modern agriculture
and hunting, we feel it is improper for hunts to be allowed to take part in agricultural shows."

ACTION ALERT 1

Please ask the Irish Shows Association to reflect the attitudes of a majority of Irish people, including
farmers and landowners, by adopting a policy of barring hunting groups from agricultural shows.

Michael Hughes, National Secretary

Irish Shows Association, Pinegrove, Mountbellew, Co. Galway
Email: michaelhughesisa@eircom.net
ACTION ALERT 2

If an agricultural show in your area features hunting groups, please complain to the organisers and
highlight the despicable cruelty inflicted by these groups on Irish wildlife. Bring your concerns to show
sponsors and to your local media.

04. Hunting the Innocent: a poem about the plight of foxes

Read "Hunting the Innocent", a powerful poem by Cashel-based songwriter, John O Dwyer.
The poem conveys the suffering and desperation from the fox's perspective and illustrates the
constant struggle for survival faced by these wonderful creatures.

Hunting The Innocent

by John O Dwyer

I'm one of God's creatures and deserve to be free/ To live my life in harmony
To run wild through the fields of green/ Without been chased o'er hill and stream
To be hunted down and torn apart/ For the pleasure of your cruel dark heart
What manner of creature hunts not for food/ But for sport when you feel the mood
What kind of beast could you be/ To kill one as innocent as me
I hunt to survive to keep young alive/ No dogs no gun nor killing for fun
But dozens of men on horse back ride/ Across the country to where I hide
Snarling dogs with sharpened teeth/ And prancing hoofs I run beneath
To lead away from my den/ To save my cubs from angry men
I'm tired but keep on running/ To live this day I must be cunning
Through bramble and brier, down rocky slope/ The day it darkens I see some hope
Just keep on moving, stay ahead/ And pray that bullets of dreaded lead
Don't pierce my flesh and shatter bone/ Just keep on moving I'll make it home
The night has come they've turned around/ They've heard the call of the bugle sound
Worn down and out of breath/ Once more I've cheated death
How long more will it be my fate/ To keep me safe from these men of hate
Forever more I must strive/ To teach my cubs to survive
To outwit the beast called man/ Just do the best I can
Just do the best I can/ From the fox

Thanks to John O Dwyer for permission to reproduce the poem. Find out more about him and listen
to his music at: www.myspace.com/jackanto1

05. Mutilated coursing dogs found dumped on Limerick beach

Three mutilated greyhounds, believed to have been coursing dogs, were found dumped at a
popular bathing spot in Limerick. The Limerick Leader has reported that the animals had their
ears cut off so that the owners could not be identified. This is just the latest act of appalling
barbarity against Irish greyhounds. ICABS appeals to anyone with information on this
sickening crime to please contact the Gardai immediately. You can read the full below...

Dead greyhounds dumped at Limerick bathing spot

By Donal O'Regan, Limerick Leader - 4th June 2009

Three rotting greyhound carcasses were the first sight that greeted lifeguards at one of the county's
best known bathing spots.
The lifesavers had just taken up their posts before the Bank Holiday weekend at Kilteery Pier,
Loughill, when they made the discovery.

John Considine, Limerick County Council administrative officer, had brought the lifeguards to the pier
for a health and safety meeting before they commenced work for the summer.

"We could actually smell them from the pier. The tide was out so we could see them in the mud.
There were three carcasses, one is there for a while as it has been reduced to a skeleton but the
other two are fairly recent," said Mr Considine, who said the council put "massive expenditure",
believed to be in the region of Eruo80,000, into the pier last year to maximise its tourist potential on
the Shannon Estuary.

Mr Considine said whoever got rid of the dogs knew what they were doing.

"The dogs have had their ears cut off (ID numbers are tattooed on the ear] which shows a deliberate
attempt to avoid detection and identification. We're hoping to get a phone call from a member of the
public that might recognise the dogs from the photos. One of the dogs in particular has distinctive
markings," said Mr Considine, who thinks the greyhounds are coursing dogs instead of racing ones
as they are "big, boney dogs".

"We're also contacting Bord na gCon about it and we may take hair samples for DNA testing. We're
taking this as seriously as we can. A huge effort has been made to make an amenity area out of
Kilteery pier including massive expenditure on the pier itself," he said.

Local man Ger Reidy, of the Loughill Community Development Association, said it was sickening
behaviour.

"It's an awful low thing to do. It was heaven there this weekend, There were some of the biggest
crowds that have been in Kilteery in a long time. We're very proud of it and everyone in the local
community is absolutely shocked and disgusted. We are not going to let this go," concluded Mr
Reidy.

06. Renewed appeal to Buy & Sell to stop listing killer dogs
Buy & Sell newspaper has again been urged to stop accepting adverts for dogs that may be
used in the illegal blood sports of badger baiting and dog fighting. A spokesperson for paper
said that recent ads for the "working dogs" had been published accidentally and that the
company "will be addressing this issue".

According to a Sunday Times report (June 7, 2009), "The newspaper is being used by blood-sports
enthusiasts to exchange dogs specially bred for use in badger baiting and dog fighting, according to
animal-welfare organisations."

Quoted in the report, Dublin SPCA spokesperson Orla Aungier said the newspaper had promised to
stop carrying ads for patterdale terriers, a breed used for baiting badgers, but they were appearing
again.

"We have told Buy & Sell that we were not happy to see terms like 'working dogs' being used to
advertise patterdales, as it usually meant the dogs are being sold by people involved in illegal blood
sports," she said. "As far as the society is concerned, Buy & Sell should not be carrying
advertisements for patterdale terriers, or any other dog for that matter. We also believe that some
dogs offered for sale come from puppy farms. We would urge people never to buy a dog or puppy
from the pages of Buy & Sell."
Stephen Philpott, chief executive of the Ulster SPCA, told the Sunday Times that "our investigations
have shown time after time that criminals involved in organised blood sports, such as badger baiting
and even dog fighting, often contact each other through adverts which they place in the Buy & Sell."

You can read the full Sunday Times report at: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6446226.ece

ACTION ALERT 1 - SAMPLE LETTER

B&S Ltd, Buy and Sell House

Argyle Square, Donnybrook, Dublin 4
T: 00353 (0)1 6080700. F: 00353 (0)1 6080770 Email: info@buyandsell.ie

Dear Buy & Sell.

I am writing to appeal to you to please stop accepting advertisements for Patterdale terriers. As
revealed in the Sunday Times in February 2009, these dogs are used to viciously attack and kill
wildlife, including foxes and badgers. The Times report revealed how a man who advertised
Patterdales in Buy & Sell admitted his involvement in the illegal blood sport of badger baiting and that
he dug out a badger sett containing a nursing mother and sent his dog in to kill one of the cubs.

By including ads for Patterdales, Buy & Sell is, in some cases, unwittingly facilitating some of the
country's worst animal cruelty. I also urge you to stop accepting adverts for "coursing dogs" due to
the horrendous injuries caused to Irish Hares during coursing. Thank you. I look forward to your
positive response.

Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]

ACTION ALERT 2

Please join the Irish Against Blood Sports' call on the Gardai to urgently establish a special animal
unit to tackle illegal blood sports like cockfighting, badger baiting and dog fighting. Please email the
following message to the Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice:

Email: Commissioner@garda.ie
CC: info@justice.ie (Justice Minister)

Dear Commissioner Murphy.

I support the Irish Council Against Blood Sports' call on you to establish a special unit to tackle crimes
against animals. There is much cruelty to animals across Ireland and there is an urgent need for a
high profile animal unit to be set up to deal with this.

Thank you. I look forward to your positive response.

Yours sincerely,
[Name/Location]

Action Alert Poster: Please print and display

http://www.scribd.com/doc/13666649/Buy-Sell-Newspaper-Drop-Patterdale-Ads
07. Circus Suffering: awareness-raising event in Dublin
On July 5th in Dublin city centre, Animal Rights Action Network is aiming to educate as many
people as possible about the suffering of animals in Irish circuses.

"By attending this peaceful event, you will help expose the suffering of animals in Irish circuses that are
forced to travel the country in unnatural conditions," said a spokesperson. If you would like to get involved
in this peaceful event by handing out leaflets or holding a banner, get in touch with ARAN via their
website at www.aran.ie or email arancampaigns@eircom.net

Place: Outside General Post Office (GPO), O'Connell Street, Dublin. Time: 1.30pm sharp - 3.30pm

08. Animal Rights July

"Animal Rights July," a 5-week event in Dublin (UCD), featuring films, discussions and lectures on
animal rights philosophy and social movement advocacy will take place every Wednesday
evening in July 2009 from 7pm - 9.45pm. Venue: Theatre 'N', Newman Building, U.C.D. Admission
& food are free.

Week 1. July 1st. The Animal Rights Debate: A Bill of Rights for Animals?
Week 2. July 8th. Home. A film released on World Environment Day, 2009.
Week 3. July 15th. A Cow at My Table.
Week 4. July 22nd. The Animal Rights Debate: Abolition or Regulation?
Week 5. July 29th. Something a little different - Judge John Deed: "Everyone's Child".
More information at http://www.indymedia.ie/article/92885

09. Lonely Planet to increase emphasis on opposition to bullfighting

Travel book publisher, Lonely Planet, has promised to include more information about opposition
to bullfighting in future editions of its Guide to Madrid. Responding to an email from an ICABS
supporter, a company spokesperson conceded that the current edition "failed to produce an
impartial but useful introduction" and that they would "make several changes at the first
opportunity to achieve a better balance in the text".

Thank you to everyone who responded to the action alert in the Summer 2009 edition of our Ban
Bullfighting magazine [ http://www.scribd.com/doc/15922102/Ban-Bullfighting-Magazine ] In the magazine
we told of how the guide was criticised as a "blatant promotion of bullfighting" by the Fight Against Animal
Cruelty in Europe. The cruel activity is described in the book as "picturesque, compelling theatre" and a
booking agent for bullring tickets is recommended to readers who wish to "see what all the fuss is about".

In a reply from the company's feedback department, a spokesperson said that "as a responsible
guidebook publisher we could not ignore bullfighting in a guide to Madrid" but that they try to provide
unbiased and impartial information so that readers can make up their own minds.

"We've reviewed the coverage in our Madrid guide as a result of the feedback we've received and now
believe that we failed to produce an impartial but useful introduction," he said. "Sorry. We are grateful that
you and others have brought this to our attention and sorry that we didn't handle this controversial issue
better in the first instance."

"We are going to make several changes at the first opportunity to achieve a better balance in the text," he
added. "We will include more about objections to bullfighting and will provide web details for several
organisations that campaign against bullfighting. That way readers will be able to find out more or lend their
own support to these campaigns."

ICABS welcomes this development but will continue pressing the company to stop in any way encouraging
tourists to attend bullfights or recommending a website where bullfight tickets may be purchased.
10. French tourism body urged to end bullfight promotion
The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is calling on a French tourism body to stop promoting
bullfighting. The call comes following an advertorial in the current edition of Ryanair
magazine which features a photo of a matador statue alongside the caption "an amazing
Roman amphitheatre in Nimes now hosts bullfighting."

In a letter of appeal to the Languedoc Roussillon Comite Regional du Tourism, ICABS described how
bulls suffer horrendous fates in the region's bullrings. We provided them with photographs showing
severely injured bulls spitting blood and bleeding from wounds.

"The South of France is famous the world over for its sunny climate, beautiful beaches, picturesque
countryside, French and Roman history, ancient architecture and fine wines," we stated. "Why does
your tourism body feel the need to tarnish this mix of attractions with bullfighting - your region's most
shameful activity."

"A majority of French people want bullfighting banned and it is entirely disrespectful and insensitive of
the Languedoc Roussillon Comite Regional du Tourism to present this animal cruelty in a positive
light," we added. "We hope that you will reconsider your approach and eliminate all references to
bullfighting and bullrunning from your promotional material."

As well as the reference to bullfighting in the Ryanair Magazine advertorial, ICABS found the
following bullfighting-related content on the tourism board's website:

Nimes - Nimes also means enthusiasm for the traditions of the Camargue: bullfighting, encierro,
abrivado are all exciting festivals when the hotheadedness of youth faces up to the fiery spirit of the
bulls. Here, love of bulls is truly a passion...
Portiragnes - Events: Camargue bullfighting in summer
Mauguio-Carnon - Things to see & do: The Golden Lagoon. Events: Bullfighting festivals in summer
Beziers - Events: summer festival with bullfighting

Meanwhile, their "Sud de France, Tourism in Languedoc-Roussillon" brochure features an image of a

bullring and a section devoted to "Ferias and the bullrings". This refers to Nimes as the "bullfighting
capital" and says that "bullfighting fans take a seat in the arenas to watch the novilladas or the
corridas, admiring the lithe moves of the torero..."

URGENT ACTION ALERT

Please make an appeal to the Languedoc Roussillon Comite Regional du Tourism to stop promoting
bullfighting. Feel free to use the following sample letter or write an original letter of your own. Thank
you.

Comite Regional Du Tourisme Du Languedoc-Roussillon

Email: contact.crtlr@sunfrance.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to urge you to stop promoting bullfighting in your promotional material. It is disappointing
to see this disgusting animal cruelty being publicised in your advertorials, in your brochure and on
your website. I hope that you will immediately exclude bullfighting from your marketing material.
Thank you. I look forward to your positive reply.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name and location]
11. 'I never used my dogs to bait badgers'
'I never used my dogs to bait badgers'
by Eimear Cotter, Evening Herald - June 22 2009

A man who said he has a "deep love and affectation" for his dogs has denied the animals were used
in badger baiting, or were badly neglected and living in their own excrement and urine.

Philip O'Driscoll's dogs were seized by the DSPCA in November last after the organisation received
an anonymous tip-off about animal cruelty and searched a number of outbuildings on a site in
Tallaght.

O'Driscoll (31) wants the dogs back and has strongly denied that he failed to provide and take proper
care of the terrier dogs, which the DSPCA has claimed were living in rat-infested premises.

The defendant, with an address at Newcastle Manor Square, Newcastle, Co Dublin, has denied
before Court 50 in the Richmond courthouse, a charge of cruelty to 19 dogs, contrary to the
Protection of Animals Act 1911.

The alleged cruelty took place on November 17, last year.

Garda Barry O'Mahony said he, together with two DSPCA inspectors, went to Megans Lane, Mount
Seskin, Tallaght, following an anonymous tip-off about cruelty to a horse.

He said he went into an outhouse, which is rented by O'Driscoll, and found 19 dogs. He said the
smell of urine and faeces was "overpowering", the ground was damp and there was very little natural
light.

He said the animals had very little bedding and a couple appeared to be carrying injuries.

DSPCA inspector Robert Kenny said the dogs were generally in good physical condition, but their
housing conditions were poor.

Mr Kenny said the kennels were very dirty, there was an excessive amount of excrement on the
floors and the dogs did not have proper dry bedding.

He said the animals did have food but did not have water.

The DSPCA inspector further claimed that at least one dog had injuries to the lower jaw which were
consistent with badger baiting.

Defence solicitor Robert Dore claimed entry by gardai and the DSPCA on to O'Driscoll's premises
was unlawful.

He said experts in husbandry will tell the court that the dogs were living in suitable conditions.

The case was adjourned by Judge David McHugh to a date in July.

12. Recommended Videos
Trailer for "The Cove"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQhfw5U7Ahc

Cyclist films Dundrum Fox

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3VJiLIJ8GU

Cute fox cub in Dublin garden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPHxjvGEo2w

"Home" (non-profit environmental film, 1 hour, 33 minutes)

Watch for free at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU&NR=1

The Dancing Bird

http://birdcinema.com/view_video.php?viewkey=fb92720359db84e0dd0d

Trailer for "Earth"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3effmHwMNk

Trailer for "Winged Migration"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc_qpk2d-ao

Otter in the Dodder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq9hbwwDQ34

13. "Ban Bullfighting News" Magazine - Download Now!

The Summer 2009 Edition of new ICABS magazine, "Ban Bullfighting News". Please
download, distribute and respond to the action alerts. Thank you.

View "Ban Bullfighting News" at:

www.scribd.com/doc/15922102/Ban-Bullfighting-News-Magazine

Download "Ban Bullfighting News" from:

http://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/files/2009/05/bbn09.pdf
(pdf 3.8 Mb)

Publicise "Ban Bullfighting News" on Twitter by posting the following message:

Read "Ban Bullfighting News" mag at http://tinyurl.com/bbnmag or download from
http://tinyurl.com/bbnmagdown

Please make a donation to ICABS

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports relies entirely on your generosity to continue our
campaigning for an end to blood sport cruelty. Please become a supporter of our work today -
click on "Shop" at www.banbloodsports.com for more details or send a cheque to ICABS, PO
Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland. Thank you very much.
14. Letters to Editors
Why no uproar on shark killing?
Irish Independent, June 20 2009
by Ronan Quinlan, Broadway Road, Dublin 15

A Swiss man, Joe Waldis, caught and killed a 1,056lb six gill shark off the Clare coast this week.
Newspapers printed photos of the proud pensioner standing beside the huge hanging corpse of this
"prize".

The day before, Mara Beo aquarium in Dingle proudly announced that it had bought four sand tiger
sharks for display at the aquarium. Newspapers reported that tourism might increase as a result.

What is the passion we have for killing and capturing these magnificent creatures? How can we
justify putting four huge, three-metre sharks in a small glass cage?

What benefits are there in killing a magnificent four-metre shark, purely for the thrill of killing it? The
same treatment of a wild tiger or elephant would cause uproar.

Dolphins have long been captured and held in cruel environments all over the world and we flock to
their prisons for a quick glimpse. A wild dolphin will live for about 45 years -- his cousin in captivity will
be lucky to average five years! A wild dolphin will swim up to 100 miles every day -- his cousin would
kill himself off the pool wall if he ever managed to get up to his full speed.

Compare their lives to Fungi, the wild dolphin of Dingle bay that has famously chosen to befriend his
human neighbours for 30 years. If only he knew!

Harming wildlife just not sporting

Irish Independent, June 29 2009
by Mike Hayes, British Columbia

I agree completely with Ian O'Doherty's take on the recent demise of the six-gilled shark (Irish
Independent, June 26).

I recall fishing at Kilkee in the late 1960s when sharks were plentiful, but due to the influx of
'sportsmen', many of them from the continent, the sharks all but disappeared.

One Porbeagle was caught by a boatmate who, to my shock, promptly produced a .38 pistol and shot
it between the horns, as it were. Just to get a good picture to take home, I dare say.

Now here we have a rare six-gill, docile and harmless, dispatched with hardly more aplomb.

I have since migrated to Canada, where six-gills have started showing up in shallow water near
where I live, but they are only molested by curious scuba divers with cameras, not spear guns.

Maybe it is the thought that a large shark hanging by its tail will attract hordes of wannabe 'giant
killers' who are determined to spend loads of money in the locality, I don't know.

My hope is that any more six-gills who show up will be greeted with a better welcome.

Let's preserve our wildlife; I guarantee it will be better for the country (economically and every other
way) to be known as a haven for our fellow creatures, not as a nasty killing ground.

Good words, Ian, kudos to you.

15. Deer hunter fined for dumping carcasses in wood
Deer hunter fined for dumping carcasses in wood
by John Fallon - Galway Independent, 3rd June 2009

A deer-hunter who dumped carcasses and bags of offal in a scenic wood in Connemara was given a
six months suspended prison term and fined Euro2,000 at Clifden District Court. Paul Wood, from
Glaun, Oughterard, Co. Galway, was also ordered to pay Euro1,000 in costs to Galway County
Council, who took the action under Section 39 of the Waste Management Act 1996.

Community Warden Martin Mannion told the court he inspected a wood at Letterfore, near Recess in
Connemara, on the afternoon of 5 November last year following a complaint.

Mr Mannion found two headless carcasses and five bags of offal containing guts, bones, hair and
other remains.

He said he was surprised when he returned the following morning to find that the carcasses and bags
of offal had been removed.

Mr Mannion said the carcasses were dumped close to a river system, which fed into Lough Corrib.
He spoke to some forestry workers and subsequently interviewed Wood.

Defending solicitor Donal Downes said his client admitted the offence and had removed the
carcasses immediately.

He said Wood had a long history in deer management and had a system in place with a firm in
Ballinasloe, Co. Galway for dealing with carcasses but had not adhered to it on this occasion.

Mr Downes said his client had been contracted by Screebe House Hotel to assist in the deer
management. He said that red deer had been re-introduced to the area a decade ago after an
absence of 150 years and that about ten of them were shot for consumption each year.

Judge Aeneas McCarthy said he took a very serious view of the offence, especially as there was a
threat to a water system. He fined Wood, who had no previous convictions, Euro2,000 and sentenced
him to six months in prison, which he suspended for two years.

16. Campaign Quotes

"Bad Hare Days by John Fitzgerald (Olympia) - Green Party members concerned about animal
protection and welfare will be interested in Bad Hare Days, a book on the campaign to end hare
coursing in Ireland. Written by well-known activist and animal rights campaigner John Fitzgerald, the
book chronicles the author's battle against powerful vested interests to ban the sport. Fired from his
job, assaulted and bullied over his stance on the issue, readers will enjoy Fitzgerald's novelistic tale
of conflict and emotion suffered during a three decade campaign against bloodsports." A review of
John Fitzgerald's book in GreenVoice (the newsletter of the Green Party), Spring 2009. Not
mentioned in the review is the sad fact that the long campaign against coursing is now focused on
convincing Green Party leader, John Gormley, to stop licensing the cruel activity.

"A book I heartily recommend on the subject of activism/animal rights campaigning is Bad Hare Days
by John Fitzgerald. It's the memoir of a dedicated animal protection activist. It focuses on his lifelong
battle to save the endangered Irish Hare, which faces a dual threat from loss of habitat due to
modern farming and the activities of cruel hare coursing clubs. But the book also explores the impact
of campaigning on the campaigners themselves...the social and emotional pricetag it can carry for
anyone who takes up a cause...any cause...with great passion and commitment." (From a post on
www.greendaycommunity.org)
"Figures released by the Irish Department of Agriculture for 2008 (January to 31st October) indicate
that 5,427 badgers were eradicated. The number of TB reactor cattle removed in the same period
rose to 25,406 which was an increase on the 23,071 removed in 2007. It would appear that the
Department's massive badger culling operations are having little impact on the war on bovine TB."
From the Spring 2009 edition of An Broc, the newsletter of Badgerwatch (Ireland). Click on
"Newsletters" at http://www.badgerwatch.ie to read the newsletter in full.

"Rodent Control [tips]: Get owls to nest in your area. Foxes too can be very helpful, an adult fox can
kill up to 7,000 mice in a year! Prevention: don't leave food around for [rodents], bring in your bird
feeders by night or locate them as far from your house as possible." From the website of
greenpatch.ie

"Did you ever stop to notice/All the blood we've shed before/Did you ever stop to notice/The crying
Earth, the
weeping shores...What about animals/We've turned kingdoms to dust/What about elephants/Have we
lost their trust/What about crying whales/We're ravaging the seas/What about forest trails/Burnt
despite our pleas." From Earth Song by Michael Jackson, RIP (1958-2009).

17. Petitions: Please Sign!

Ban Blood Sports in Ireland
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/784506550

Stop Ringling Bros' Expansion Near New York City

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/679393105

Stop Iceland's Whale Hunting

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/584959893?z00m=19765116

Palau - please don't allow shark fishing in your waters

http://www.sharksavers.org/en/get-involved/sign-these-petitions/542-petition-to-palau-stop-senate-
bill-8-44-on-shark-fishing.html

Prohibit the sale and use of glue traps in the UK

http://www.petitiononline.com/gtraps05/petition.html

Abolish Bowhunting and end the brutality!!!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/abolish-bowhunting-and-end-the-brutality

Stop cruelty against animals in Spain

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/8/stop-cruelty-against-animals-in-spain

Stop Killing Homeless Dogs in Armenia

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/720077385

We say NO to Northern Ireland Badger Cull

http://www.petitiononline.com/nonicull

Alaska's Dead Wolf Pups Demand Justice

http://go.care2.com/16757164
18. Top ways you can help the campaign
• Join our email list (and encourage friends to join) and respond to our Action Alerts. Email
"Subscribe" to info@banbloodsports.com
• Become a campaign supporter and make a donation to help fund our efforts. Click on "Join ICABS"
at www.banbloodsports.com for more information.
• Contact your local politicians and ask them to support a ban on blood sports. Click on "Politicians"
at www.banbloodsports.com for contact details and a sample letter.
• Be our friend on MySpace, Bebo, Twitter and Youtube - http://www.myspace.com/banbloodsports,
http://www.bebo.com/banbloodsports, http://www.twitter.com/banbloodsports,
http://www.youtube.com/icabs
• Sign up for our free text alert service and receive occasional campaign updates to your phone. To
subscribe to this free service, simply text the word GO to our textline on 00 353 86 038 6617.
• Link to our website & display a banner. Click on "Links" at www.banbloodsports.com for options.
• Monitor blood sports meetings in your area and provide us with photos, video and reports.
• Write a letter to your local newspaper about the cruelty of blood sports
• Sign and collect signatures for our petitions. Click on "Petitions" at www.banbloodsports.com for
online and printable petitions.
• Organise a fund-raiser to help raise funds for the campaign
• Set up an online anti-blood sports group (Myspace, Bebo, Facebook, etc) to cover your area.
• Download, print & display our posters and leaflets - click on "Leaflets" at www.banbloodsports.com
• Set up an information stand at your school/library/youth group/adult group, etc
• Introduce your friends to our website and encourage them to get involved.
• Simply keeping your ear to the ground. Email ICABS about any blood-sport incidents in your area.

Please make a donation to ICABS

The Irish Council Against Blood Sports relies entirely on your generosity to continue our
campaigning for an end to blood sport cruelty. Please become a supporter of our work today -
click on "Shop" at www.banbloodsports.com for more details or send a cheque to ICABS, PO
Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland. Thank you very much.

Keep hunters off your land

Make it known publicly that your land is off-limits to hunters. Place a preservation notice in
your local newspaper now. Here is a sample notice that you may wish to use: "Take notice
that all my lands at [Insert address(es) of land] are private and preserved day and night. All
forms of hunting and shooting are strictly prohibited. Trespassers will be prosecuted. Signed
[Insert name(s) of landowner]" For more information, click on Farmers at
www.banbloodsports.com

Tune in to the ICABS Channel

Footage of blood sport cruelty and the humane alternatives can be viewed on the ICABS
Channel on Youtube - www.youtube.com/icabs or by clicking on "Videos" at
www.banbloodsports.com Please ask your local TD/Senator to view our videos and back a
blood sports ban.
Animal Voice - Subscribe
Help us to highlight our campaigns to even more people. If you have friends who would like to
receive "Animal Voice", please ask them to send an email to info@banbloodsports.com with
"Animal Voice - Subscribe" in the subject line.

ICABS Campaign Text Alerts

Subscribe to the Irish Council Against Blood Sports' Campaign Text Alerts service and
receive occasional campaign updates to your mobile phone. Text the word GO to our textline
on 086-0386617 (this is free service). To unsubscribe at any stage, simply text the word STOP
to the same number. Your number will not be passed on to anyone else.

Irish Council Against Blood Sports

PO Box 88, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Ireland
Email: info@banbloodsports.com
Website: www.banbloodsports.com
ICABS on YouTube: www.youtube.com/icabs
ICABS on Bebo: www.bebo.com/banbloodsports
ICABS on MySpace: www.myspace.com/banbloodsports
ICABS on your mobile: www.banbloodsports.com/wap
ICABS on Twitter: www.twitter.com/banbloodsports

To receive Animal Voice by email, please send “Subscribe” to

info@banbloodsports.com
To receive updates to your mobile phone, text the word GO
to our textline on 00353 86 0386617 (this is free service).
To unsubscribe at any stage, simply text the
word STOP to the same number.