WARNING: Some information on this page is very distressing but I would urge you to read it if possible.  Thank you. 

              DEADLINE 2000

YOU can help the Prime Minister to make the right choice for animals.......

Your help is needed NOW to finally ban the cruel sport of hunting with dogs.  Despite the wishes of the record number of MPs who voted for Michael Fosters Bill, HUNTING HAS NOT YET BEEN BANNED.  That's why, along with the RSPCA AND THE LEAGUE AGAINST CRUEL SPORTS, IFAW has launched a new campain - DEADLINE 2000.  The aim is to secure a commitment from Tony Blairs' Government by 2000 to legislate to ban hunting with dogs. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO JOIN THOUSANDS OF OTHER ANIMAL LOVERS, INCLUDING LEADING CELEBRITIES, ACADEMICS, ANIMAL WELFARE AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, AND MAJOR TRADE UNIONS, IN THE BIGGEST SHOW OF PUBLIC SUPPORT EVER AGAINST HUNTING WITH DOGS.

As you probably already know, public and parliamentary support for a ban is still overwhelming!

7 out of 10 people in Britain support a ban on hunting with dogs ... 411 MPs from all parties voted for a ban in November 1977 ... Only last month, Labour MPs responded in record numbers to a parliamentary consultation paper on hunting, and overwhelmingly demanded a ban.

IT IS VITAL TO KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM. Only Tony Blairs' Government can ensure that the result of the free vote they promised in their manifesto is honoured. We need to get a commitment from Tony Blair that legislation to ban hunting will be included in Novembers Queens Speech, which will set out the Governments priorities for the following year. November may seem a long way away, but discussions on the Governments agenda are taking place NOW. IT IS VITAL THAT WE GIVE TONY BLAIR THE CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THE ISSUE OF HUNTING IS NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

In the last  few months alone, hunts have cruelly chased and killed thousands of wild mammals, - foxes, hares and deer - in the name of 'sport' .  In addition, pets have been attacked and torn apart, hounds have been run over on roads and railway lines, and law abiding country people have continued to be harassed by hunts (See 'Huntings Calendar of Shame' below).  We cannot allow this cruelty to continue.

PLEASE WRITE TO TONY BLAIR AT 10 DOWNING STREET, LONDON, SW1A 2AA TODAY - You may want to include these points when you write.

You are strongly in support of the DEADLINE 2000 CAMPAIGN ... Urge him to act on the overwhelming parliamentary and popular support for a ban on hunting with dogs ... Ask him to announce legislation that will ban hunting with dogs in Novembers Queens Speech ... You feel that Britain cannot move forward into the new millennium while this barbaric and oudated 'sport' is still practiced.

If you know that your local MP supports a ban on hunting, please also write to ask them to write to Tony Blair on the issue too.

PLEASE WRITE TO TONY BLAIR TODAY... This really IS his one last opportunity to save thousands of animals' lives this millennium.

                       CALENDAR OF SHAME

YOUR ACTION NOW will help end this calendar of shame:

NOVEMBER 1988: Hounds from the Woodland Pytchley Hunt attack an animal sanctuary on private land.

DECEMBER 1998:   Hobbit, an 11 year old tabby cat, is killed in his front garden by hounds from the Sinnington Hunt.

JANUARY 1999:    Five hounds are killed after being hit by a Manchester-Penzance train.

FEBRUARY 1999:   Copper, a young fox, is saved from death when a policeman lets his helmet be used as a shield against a pack of hounds. A vet says later that Copper would have died from severe shock without veterinary treatment.

MARCH 1999: Primary School pupils look on in horror as hounds from the Devon and Somerset Staghounds attack a stag in the playground of a village school.

THE LAST BILL TO BAN HUNTING WITH DOGS WAS KILLED BY A MINORITY OF PRO-HUNT MPs AND A LACK OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT. SINCE THEN, IFAW HAS RECORDED DOZENS MORE OUTRAGES TO ADD TO HUNTINGS CALENDAR OF SHAME.

By including legislation to ban hunting with dogs in the Queens' Speech this year, the Government could: stop needless cruelty to the thousands of hares coursed every year for 'sport' .... prevent deer from suffering death every year after a cruel and exhausting chase .... save the lives of 20,000 foxes every year....

PLEASE DO ALL YOU CAN TO HELP: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE DEADLINE 2000 CAMPAIGN Please Contact:

IFAW, Warren Court, Park Road, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 2GA

YOUR URGENT ACTION IS NEEDED TODAY.....PLEASE DONT DELAY!

DON'T LET THE HUNTING BILL DIE! Urgent update

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IFAW and their valuable work

ANY COMMENTS?   Thank You            

24/03/01