Sir, - The UK Labour government has come up with a new proposal to tackle the blood sports issue. It plans to grant county councils the power to hold referendums within their areas of jurisdiction on whether coursing and hunting should be banned. The result of each vote would be binding in law.
Given the weight of opposition to animal baiting in Britain, it is likely that wildlife abuses masquerading as sport or entertainment will be eliminated from most parts of the country. And no democrat would dare question the outcome of such a ballot.
Why can't we in Ireland have a referendum on blood sports? Last winter, I witnessed the savaging of over 20 foxes by hounds. Before the season opened, I watched a video depicting the practice of cubbing. The attractive little creatures were dug out of the earth and tossed to the pack. I also observed hares being terrorised at a coursing event and a stag running for its life, gasping for breath as blood spouted from its wounds.
Since our Government hasn't got the guts to ban hunting, surely it can at least allow us, the people of Ireland, to decide the future of these obscenities. -Yours etc., John Fitzgerald,
Lower Coyne Street,
Callan,
Co Kilkenny.