Sir, - Mr John Fitzgerald of the Campaign for the Abolition of Cruel Sports (January 12th) refers to coursing and to the alleged "blooding" of greyhounds prior to coursing meetings.The muzzling of greyhounds at enclosed coursing meetings was introduced by the Irish Coursing Club in 1993 and has proved to be very successful. The spectacle of coursing has not been affected and, indeed, the overall standard of coursing is at a very high level. This has been accepted by both partisan and non-partisan observers.Since the introduction of muzzling, the "kill" has been virtually eliminated from the sport and this is a source of huge satisfaction to all involved in this traditional pastime.The sport of coursing is highly regulated by the Irish Coursing Club itself, by the Department of Agriculture and Food, and by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.Mr Fitzgerald makes very serious and detailed allegations about the "blooding" of greyhounds preceding coursing meetings and he cites two particular incidents. The blooding of greyhounds is strictly forbidden by the Irish Coursing Club and is, of course, contrary also to the laws of the land.The Irish Coursing Club has successfully prosecuted in the courts for such an offence. If Mr Fitzgerald has evidence to back up the allegations in his letter, he should immediately furnish such evidence to the Garda authorities and to the Irish Coursing Club.If he does not have such evidence and cannot back up his allegations with hard facts, he should do the honourable thing and publish a retraction forthwith. - Yours, etc.,J. L. Desmond,Chief executive/secretary,Irish Coursing Club,Davis Road,Clonmel.