The Laois Anti-Hunt Ball held in Durrow
Visual action organised as counterpoint to Laois Hunt Ball
On Saturday 7th February, a visual action piece was performed outside the Castle Arms Hotel in Durrow, where the Laois Hunt Annual Ball was being held.
Foxes in black-tie and ball gowns gathered and danced the foxtrot, whilst engaging with ball attendees and members of the public in a light-hearted yet impactful manner. The aim of the action was to highlight the alternatives to foxhunting,which if committed to, would allow future ball-goers to celebrate without the guilty conscience.
This visual action was organised by Rebecca Deegan, a Laois-based artist, wildlife rescue volunteer and student vet nurse. Attendees included representatives from Laois SPCA and Kildare Wildlife Rescue, as well as members of the public concerned about the welfare of foxes, and notably, former supporters and attendees of the hunt.
“I thought hunting was great fun”, says Veronica, a former hunt supporter who attended the Anti-Hunt Ball, “It was powerful poetry in motion. The adrenaline rush was real. That was 18 years ago. I don’t know if I was a bit stupid, naive or maybe a blatant subconscious denial – because I never actually realised what they did to the poor fox. Itnever crossed my mind that they actually killed the fox.”
“We must make and hold the space for change”, Veronica continues, “I wasn’t a bad person, I just didn’t see, but now I do. This is why doing what we can to raise awareness of something that may be obvious to you, but not others, in a way that doesn’t cause division is important.”
Organiser Rebecca Deegan stated “We are advocating for cruelty-free alternatives to hunting foxes with hounds. Keep the skill, the horses, the hounds, the community – just remove the cruelty.”
“Cruelty-free alternatives include drag hunting, where riders follow a pre-laid artificial scent (no wildlife involved, unlike trail hunting which uses the scent of a fox). This activity keeps the galloping, jumping, teamwork and social element, and is already practised widely in Ireland and the UK. The excitement, skill and tradition remains – just without terrorising wildlife.”
“Other alternatives include scent work such as man-trailing C clean-boot hunting, which are highly enriching for hounds – mentally and physically. The dogs follow human or artificial scents (used by search C rescue teams). Hounds love scent work, it’s what their brains evolved for, and it is so impressive to watch them in action and undoubtedly rewardingfor their trainers; no destruction of wild animals needed.”
The most recent RED C survey found that 73% of people believe the bloodsport of foxhunting with hounds should be banned, compared with just 14% who oppose a ban. The poll also showed that opposition against the practice is strongin rural Ireland, where 68% favour a ban, contradicting claims that foxhunting is a “rural tradition” with broad countryside backing.
Attendees of the Anti-Hunt Ball would like to note the positive comments and interactions from many Laois Hunt ball-goers; several of whom chose to spend a lot of time engaging in respectful, meaningful conversation with the activists.