Jasmine

Irish Parliament bans stag hunting

Jasmine writes " It is only practised by one hunt – the Ward Union in county Meath north of Dublin, a hunt which included among its members a former Fianna Fáil prime minister, the late Charlie Haughey. The reputation of the hunt was badly damaged by an incident five years ago when a stag was pursued into a rural school playground, which prompted some landowners in the area to ban the hunters from coming on to their property. Stag hunting is seen as the most controversial of Ireland's hunting sports involving the pursuit of a “carted” stag, so-called because the animal is selected from a special red deer herd and brought to the meet in a horse box or trailer and then let loose ahead of the riders. Politicians voted to ban stag hunting in the Republic by the narrow margin of 75 votes to 72. Despite hopes of hunt supporters that Fianna Fáil TDs would defy their party to vote against the controversial Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010, only one party member, Tipperary's Mattie McGrath, voted against the bill. He has since been expelled from the parliamentary party. The Dáil will vote on a second bill which will affect hunts next week — the legislation to ban puppy farming. The Dog Breeding Bill will mean all hunts having to microchip their hounds and give local authorities the right to spot-check kennels. "

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