Protesters make feelings known at Abbeyleix hunt
Protestors at the Laois Hunt St Stephen’s Day meet in Abbeyleix. Photo: Alf Harvey
THE annual St Stephen’s day fox hunt set off from Abbeyleix amidst a show of protest by community activists.
The tradition is widespread in Ireland and is echoed by the annual wren hunt, which takes place on the same day.
The peaceful protest started at 11.30am in Abbeyleix town square. On the protesters’ side were representatives from the National Animal Rights Association, the Laois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Kildare Wildlife rescue.
The protest was organised by Rebecca Deegan, a wildlife rehabilitation volunteer and student veterinarian in Laois. ‘‘Participants carried banners and homemade placards informing the public about the realities of fox hunting; while hunts are often seen as traditions, they involve using hounds to chase the fox over a long distance, which causes stress, fear and potential injury, often resulting in a brutal death,’’ wrote Ms Deegan.
She also highlighted alternatives â signalling out drag hunting and man trailing as cruelty-free ways to preserve the spirit of the sport.
Drag hunting mimics a traditional hunt through artificial scents; for example, ahead of a ‘hunt,’ an artificial scent trail is laid across the countryside through all the obstacles that a usual hunt would take. Man trailing entails the dogs following the scent of a person who has run ahead of the hunt.
Ms Deegan also claimed that: “In light of the recent bill, it is clear that the vast majority of Irish people are in support of a ban against the bloodsport of fox hunting.”
This statement appears to refer to an poll, which recorded 72% of the 1,000 people surveyed as wanting the practice banned, with 17 against and 11 uncertain.
Speaking to the , master of the Laois Hunt, David Lalor, highlighted the public’s “marvellous support’’ and the number of Laois Hunt members that were in attendance, including 100 on horseback. He rebutted one of the protesters’ lines which argued that the hunt itself had roots in British colonialism, saying: “There was hunting in Ireland before England.”
The Laois Hunt society is 200 years old, with its current master David Lalor having served in the post for over 35 years. The group generally meets twice a week.
