Walthamstow stadium hosted its last race on Saturday after failing to secure financial backing. The iconic North London dog track will be demolished to make way for a housing development.

Paivi Vahvelainen, League Greyhound Campaigner said: 'Whilst much sentiment has been expressed over the closing of this building, anyone who cares about the welfare of the dogs must be relieved that so many animals will be spared an uncertain future in a sport that can treat them so poorly and that refuses to accept independent regulation.'

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The Countryside Alliance is demanding that the ban on persecuting rare birds of prey, in particular Buzzards and Goshawks, be lifted.

In an article in the Scotsman the organisation claims that the population of buzzards is getting out of control and threatening to affect smaller moorland bird species.

The RSPB argues that the buzzard population, which generally prefers to feed on rabbits, remains vulnerable.

Cerys Roberts, Shooting Campaigner at the League said: 'This is the CA showing its true colours. The only thing they are interested in protecting is grouse for shooting'.  

Read the full article

Countryside Contradictory - read our comments and have your say on the League's blog
 

The League Against Cruel Sports has given a cautious welcome to plans to extend special protection measures for Irish hares.

Minister for Environment Sammy Wilson MLA has announced the special protection order will be renewed meaning the temporary ban on the killing, taking, sale or purchase of Irish hares will now be in place until March 2009.

The League is campaigning for a full protection order to be put in place to allow hare populations to recover but also to protect the species from the cruelty of hare coursing. Legislation to protect the hare would effectively put an end to the outdated and primitive practice of coursing.

League Campaigns manager Louise Robertson said: 'We are obviously pleased that the Minister has extended the temporary order but feel it is about time the Assembly took more decisive action and made the special protection order permanent. The Irish hare is endemic to Northern Ireland and as long as it is at risk from humans there is little point trying to re-establish population numbers. 

Find out more about Hare Coursing

Hundreds of League supporters across the country got involved in the 2008 Snare Aware Week, which kicked off from the 19^th July. Their purpose, to let the public know about the cruelty inflicted on pets and wildlife by these crude wire nooses. 

Cerys Roberts, League snaring Campaigner said: 'When people hear about the cruelty inflicted on animals by snares they are shocked that such barbarity is still legal.'

The English badger cull has been called off after research concluded it would not be effective in stopping the spread of TB in cattle.

The research was conducted by the Independent Scientific Group on TB in Cattle. Lord Krebs, who designed the trials said: 'It's not practical to carry out that kind of scorched-earth cull over a prolonged period for a policy that may not even work'. The news is welcomed by the League and millions of of the British public who do not want to see thousands of these wild animals killed unnecessarily.

Read our comments and have your say on the League's blog

Never Mind the Buzzcocks star Bill Bailey is throwing his weight behind the League's bullfighting campaign.

The actor and comedian said: 'I am delighted that the League has joined with our European friends to put an end to bullfighting. I have signed the World Wide Bullfighting Pledge and I urge everyone else to do so. Bullfighting has to go!

Over 20,000 people have now signed the League's pledge, which was launched just a few weeks ago by Coronation Street star, Lucy Evans.

Coming soon: Look out for Lucy Evans' video diaries when she visits Spain to discover some of the many ethical alternatives to bullfighting. 

Visit Bill Bailey's Website

Sign the World Wide Pledge

Last month the League learned that musician, James Blunt, is to perform at a concert in a bullring in Lisbon, Portugal.

That may sound innocent but the truth is that proceeds from the event will be used to support the bullring for its intended purpose: bullfighting

Earlier this year Ben & Jerrys ice-cream withdrew their support from an event in the same bullring after the League alerted them to the fact that a bullfight would take place as part of the proceedings.

The League wrote to James Blunt's agent to ask that he moves the concert or make a statement against bullfighting at the concert. We have, however, not received a reply and are therefore calling upon fans of the musician to let him know how they feel by writing to him or emailing him via his agents. A suggested text and contact details can be downloaded here.

Päivi Vahvelainen, Bullfighting Campaigner at the League said: 'I'd hoped that once James had been made aware of what he is doing he would withdraw or at least agree not to perform in a bullfighting arena again. As a fan, I'm really disappointed that he hasn't bothered to respond at all.'