The “country sport” of hare coursing is one that is rife with multiple levels of cruelty. Hares are brutally snared from the wild using nets, they are kept starving and confined for their duration in captivity, and they are eventually made to run for their lives from two bloodthirsty and hungry greyhounds. Those that outrun the greyhounds are often recycled back into use, until they are injured, killed, or otherwise rendered useless. The greyhounds too, face strain and hardship as they train for their runs, and are often mistreated and discarded when injured or no longer able to race.

In this interview, we go deep into the issue of hare coursing with veteran activist John Fitzgerald, whose new book Bad Hare Days recounts his long years speaking out against the bloodsport and the consequences he faced from his activism. His story is a deeply personal and accessible account of a person committed to change, and willing to stand up to challenges that present themselves along the path.

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