Hare coursers muzzle dogs to beat ban
Supporters of the sport of hare coursing are planning
to muzzle their dogs in an attempt to head off a ban due to come into effect
alongside foxhunting legislation.
Competition coursing involves the chasing of a hare by
two dogs. The aim is to test the prowess and agility of the dogs, not to kill
the hare.
But the coursing community is nervous that its sport
will be sacrificed. Coursing associations which represent greyhound, lurcher,
saluki and deerhound clubs are seeking legal advice to see if there is any way
that they can avoid a ban.
One idea is that all dogs be muzzled. The view is that
this would show there was no intention to kill or harm the hare involved in
the competition.
The coursing world has asked QCs how a judge would interpret
the definition of the sport as set out in the Hunting Bill and if this would
cover coursing with muzzled dogs. The definition in the Bill reads: ³Hare
coursing is a competition in which dogs are, by the use of live hares, assessed
as to skill in hunting hares.²
The use of muzzled dogs is already common practice in
Ireland, though the races take place in enclosed areas or parks rather than
the open countryside favoured by English coursers. It is possible that this
form of coursing could be established in Britain.
Charles Blanning, the secretary of the National Coursing
Club that supervises 23 greyhound clubs, confirmed that legal advice was being
sought on whether the pursuit of a hare by muzzled dogs is a form of hunting.
He did not wish to discuss a possible ban but he said:
"It is obviously an anxiety for people who support coursing that it could
be sacrificed. We believe it is illogical not to allow all forms of hunting
to be decided by an independent registrar."
"Hare coursing has a
minority appeal and only some 10,000 supporters turn up for the Waterloo Cup,
the most important date in the coursing calendar. It takes place towards the
end of February, but if there is a ban in force on February 19 next year organisers
have already decided to bring forward the competition for one last stand."
The Countryside Alliance is still fighting for an independent
registrar, but senior figures admit privately that hare coursing may have to
be sacrificed to save foxhunting.
As the hunting season opens today, hunt supporters are
buoyed by growing support among senior ministers to reach a compromise.
The Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer of Thoroton, QC, is
understood to be one of the senior figures keen on a compromise. It was significant
last week that while he voted to back licensed foxhunting, he abstained on the
vote on hare coursing. His stance was also supported by other prominent Blairite
peers including Lord Rooker, Minister of State at the Office of the Deputy Prime
Minister, Lord Irvine of Lairg, the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Bragg, Lord
Grabiner, QC, and Lord Alli.
Lord Burns, the former Treasury mandarin who conducted
the Government's hunting inquiry has admitted publicly that he felt uncomfortable
with hare coursing. His report concluded: "Being pursued, caught and killed
by dogs during coursing seriously compromises the welfare of the hare."
The final decision rests within the House of Commons
and it is thought that just 90 abstentions on the Labour side could ensure a
majority to introduce licensed hunting with dogs in England and Wales.
Calculations have been worked out by hunt supporters
on the basis that the Tory vote will be whipped hard in favour of a compromise
and that the Liberal Democrats are also swinging in favour of such a deal.
There is particular concern among Lib-Dem MPs that deer
hunting should survive on Exmoor. Many of their seats are in the West Country
and the party wants to win back Taunton, a seat lost by Jackie Ballard, a hunt
opponent, to the Tories at the last election. So the Lib-Dems too may seek a
ban on hare coursing.
It is thought too that the hard core of Labour MPs intent
on forcing a ban on hunting numbers just 90, and that 15 who originally favoured
a ban have changed their mind.
The Government whips may be able to persuade another
75 Labour MPs to abstain, rather than vote for a ban, that could clinch a compromise
deal.
East Anglia Animal Rights Coalition
PO Box 487, Norwich,
Norfolk, NR5 8WE
Telephone 07788 404 074
Email: eastangliaarc@hotmail.com
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