DEWEY-HUMBOLDT, Ariz. — At the urging of Arizona citizens and local, state and national wildlife and animal protection organizations, the Dewey-Humboldt Town Council voted 4 to 2 last week in favor of a resolution that opposes wildlife killing contests. In these cruel events, participants compete for fun and prizes by killing the greatest number or the heaviest of the target species. Dewey-Humboldt joins a growing list of local and state entities denouncing killing contests.

The resolution comes in advance of the Santa Slay Coyote Tournament set to occur from December 15 to 16, 2018, in Dewey-Humboldt. This brutal event, which encourages the mass slaughter of coyotes using weapons such as AR-15 rifles, will take place on public lands. Firearm, predator-calling device, and hunting gear manufacturers and sellers are among its sponsors.

Dewey-Humboldt’s Town Council resolution aptly recognizes that coyotes and other native carnivores play a key role in maintaining healthy…