Category Archives: Hound Hunting

Briton Backsliding Too?

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http://news.yahoo.com/british-parliament-vote-fox-hunting-164039017.html

London (AFP) – Britain’s House of Commons will vote on the highly contentious issue of fox hunting next week, with critics claiming Wednesday that it could be a first step towards lifting an 11-year ban.

Prime Minister David Cameron, who has admitted hunting with hounds in the past, is expected to vote next Thursday in favour of the move which would give more freedom to “flush out” foxes with dogs.

Hunting foxes with dogs has been banned across Britain since 2004 but Cameron’s centre-right Conservatives pledged to make it legal in their manifesto for May’s general election, which they won.

The issue is highly divisive in Britain, where critics often argue that hunting is a cruel pursuit for wealthy landowners and supporters say it is part of rural life and helps control a troublesome fox population that can kill livestock.

Drag hunts, where dogs follow an artificial scent instead of a fox, are still allowed and have continued across Britain in winter months.

Next week’s vote will be on a technicality which would make the law the same across England, Wales and Scotland and is not about lifting the overall ban.

View gallery

A protester holds up a placard during a pro-hunting …

A protester holds up a placard during a pro-hunting demonstration in London on November 11, 2004 (AF …

In England and Wales, a farmer can currently only use two dogs to “flush out” a fox, or remove it from its hole so it can be shot, while in Scotland, farmers can use an unlimited number of dogs.

Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports campaign group, said the vote was “nothing but sneaking hunting in through the back door”.

“By amending the Hunting Act like this, the government are deliberately and cynically making it easier for hunts to chase and kill foxes, and harder for them to be convicted when they break the law,” he added.

The Countryside Alliance, a pressure group in favour of hunting, stressed the move would mean that traditional hunting remains illegal.

Following media reports of the vote, Cameron’s spokeswoman would only confirm that it would come before parliament’s summer recess on July 21.

Asked how the prime minister would vote, she said Cameron had “made clear several times that he believes in the freedom to hunt.”

She added that the government stands by its commitment to repeal the ban on hunting eventually.

Thousands of Spanish hunting dogs are killed or abandoned each winter

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By Nicole Crowder June 9

Elegant, regal, and admired for their intense speeds, dogs in the 18th century — primarily greyhounds — were often used as hunting dogs in rural Spain during the winter. But over the centuries and in recent years it has been estimated that over 50,000 dogs have been put down or abandoned in open fields left to die at the end of the hunting season because they are considered too old or slow to hunt again, or too expensive to care for.

Photographer and longtime animal activist Martin Usborne reached his Kickstarter goal toward publishing the forthcoming book “Where Hunting Dogs Rest” (U.S release scheduled for September) on June 4.  In the book, Uborne captures achingly beautiful portraits of hunting dogs rescued from an unfortunate end.

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/in-sight/wp/2015/06/09/thousands-of-spanish-hunting-dogs-are-put-down-each-winter-a-new-book-looks-at-the-ones-who-were-spared/

Washington Bills Undermine Advancements for Wildlife

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Wildlife Photography ©Jim Robertson

Wildlife Photography ©Jim Robertson

Two new bills seek to underhandedly undermine voter-approved advancements for wildlife that set Washington apart from its anti-wildlife neighbors. Both the hound hunting of cougars and the baiting of black bears were banned by the citizenry of  in Washington, but could once again threaten wildlife if these bills are passed. Please take action on these two Human Alerts:

https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6771&autologin=true&s_src=sh_aa6771

Washington: Protect Cougars from Trophy Hunters

A terrible bill has been introduced that will allow for the expanded hound hunting of cougars. This cruel and unsporting practice was rightfully outlawed by voters in 1996.

Under this proposal, counties can authorize a hound hunt based on public safety complaints of cougar sightings. The existing law already allows for citizens to protect themselves if they feel threatened by a cougar. Despite the fact that seeing a cougar does not constitute a threat and cougar kittens are extremely vulnerable to attacks by packs of dogs, proponents of the bill want to bring back the trophy hunting of cougars with hounds. This program was in place from 2004 until 2011, and resulted in widespread, guided recreational hound hunts offered by hunting clubs throughout eastern Washington.

TAKE ACTION
Please call your state senator today to stop this dangerous proposal. Look up your legislator’s phone number. You can say: “I am a constituent, and I am calling to ask you to please oppose SB 5940.”

After making your call (please do not skip that crucial step!), fill in and submit the form below to send a follow-up message. Legislators receive a lot of email; be sure to edit your message so it stands out.

And:  https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6777&autologin=true&s_src=sh_aa6777

Washington: Protect Bears from Cruel and Unsporting Baiting

Washington’s bears need your help from being shot over bait stations packed with greasy, sugary junk foods. Bear baiting is cruel and unsporting, and Washingtonians rightfully outlawed it in 1996.

A bill has been introduced that would allow any land owner or tenant to place a bait station on their property. Baiting stations, full of high-calorie junk food, lure bears in for an easy kill. While the bill sponsor wants landowners to kill bears who have caused damage to timber plantations and livestock, the truth is baiting attracts all bears. The result will be killing random bears, orphaning new born cubs, and unnecessarily putting people in dangerous proximity to human-food habituated bears.

After hibernation, bears are in a state of starvation because they have not fed for many months. Sadly, mother bears, who wake up with newborn cubs, are drawn to bait stations because they must urgently obtain thousands of calories for the whole family’s survival.

Mother bears may strip bark from trees to obtain sugary sap. While girdling trees has some negative economic consequences for the owners of industrial timber lands, the harm is small and can be mitigated. Likewise, livestock growers can employ many non-lethal solutions to prevent the minuscule threat of predation by bears on their domestic animals

Landowners who bait bears will create unwanted human-bear conflicts. That is because baits are covered in human scents, and bears will learn to associate baits with humans. When that happens, the neighbors of bear baiters may be exposed to human-habituated bears, and they can be dangerous. There is a reason why voters prohibited bear baiting almost 20 years ago.

TAKE ACTION
Please call your state representatives’ offices today, and urge opposition for SHB 1838.. Look up your legislators’ phone numbers. You can say: “I am a constituent, and I am calling to ask you to please oppose SHB 1838.”

After making your call (please do not skip that crucial step!), fill in and submit the form below to send a follow-up message. Legislators receive a lot of email; be sure to edit your message so it stands out.

See sample letters here: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6771&autologin=true&s_src=sh_aa6771

and here: https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=6777&autologin=true&s_src=sh_aa6777

 

BOYCOTT South Carolina until they Outlaw Bear Baiting

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In order for the legislatures to do something regarding this barbaric act. People who want to visit South Carolina or hold a convention should boycott this state until this is outlawed.

To:KsVvuVxqZrOKzuz-556x313-noPad
South Carolina state legislatures
Outlaw Bear Baiting

In order for the legislatures to do something regarding this barbaric act. People who want to visit South Carolina or hold a convention should boycott this state until this is outlawed.

Sign the Petiton: http://www.change.org/petitions/boycott-south-carolina-until-they-outlaw-bear-baiting?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=url_share&utm_campaign=url_share_after_sign

Please go to our Facebook page hit like and share. Thank you.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/BoycottSouthCarolinaUntilTheyOutlawBearBaiting

URGENT: Speak Out Against Raccoon Torture Event!

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URGENT: Speak Out Against Raccoon Torture Event!

Wildlife Photography Copyright Jim Robertson

Wildlife Photography Copyright Jim Robertson

This Saturday, April 12, Leslie County, Kentucky, is reportedly holding “Coon on a Log” races! These sadistic events (apparently sponsored by the sheriff’s department this year) involve setting frantic dogs loose upon caged raccoons who have been hauled across bodies of water and perched on tiny rafts. Imagine the terror that these wild animals experience as they are snatched from their families, held captive, and then forced to endure this hellish ordeal repeatedly. A spectator at last year’s event says that the dogs are allowed to “bite at” the raccoons, who are sometimes “knocked into the water” and “pulled back up to go another round.” The spectator said that one raccoon was even “bleeding and near death.”

Please urge Leslie County officials to search their hearts and help end this barbaric practice for good. Also ask them to transfer all trapped animals used in this year’s event to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Then please forward this alert far and wide!

Sign petition here: https://secure.peta.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5415&login=true&utm_campaign=Raccoon%20Torture&utm_source=PETA%20E-Mail&utm_medium=Alert

 

 

 

Action Alert for Raccoons

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URGENT UPDATE! In spite of receiving hundreds of calls in opposition to HB 423, a bill that would allow LIVE raccoons to be trapped and used as bait in hunting field trail competitions, the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee approved this bill. We must fight harder than ever. Committee members obviously had already made up their minds, but your senators may be undecided. They do not want to lose your vote. Your Georgia state senators MUST hear from you! Urge them to vote NO on HB 423! To find your senator’s contact info follow the easy steps below: 1. For your State Senator click: http://votesmart.org/ 2. Type your address or 9 digit zip code in the box and click "Search." (If your address doesn't bring the page up your 9 digit zip code will.) 4. Click "State Legislative." 5. Beneath "State Senate" your senator's name is underlined. Click his/her name. 6. Your senator's email address and phone contact information appears. 7. Call your senator at the capitol number AND the district number and ask him/her to "vote NO on HB 423." 8. The subject line of your email should read: Vote NO on HB 423
URGENT UPDATE! In spite of receiving hundreds of calls in opposition to HB 423, a bill that would allow LIVE raccoons to be trapped and used as bait in hunting …field trail competitions, the Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee approved this bill.
We must fight harder than ever. Committee members obviously had already made up their minds, but your senators may be undecided. They do not want to lose your vote. Your Georgia state senators MUST hear from you! Urge them to vote NO on HB 423!
To find your senator’s contact info follow the easy steps below:
1. For your State Senator click: http://votesmart.org/ 2. Type your address or 9 digit zip code in the box and click “Search.” (If your address doesn’t bring the page up your 9 digit zip code will.) 4. Click “State Legislative.” 5. Beneath “State Senate” your senator’s name is underlined. Click his/her name. 6. Your senator’s email address and phone contact information appears. 7. Call your senator at the capitol number AND the district number and ask him/her to “vote NO on HB 423.” 8. The subject line of your email should read: Vote NO on HB 423

Mendocino County supervisors back hunting with hounds

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http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140311/articles/140319928

By GLENDA ANDERSON

Photo Copyright Jim Robertson

Photo Copyright Jim Robertson

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

March 11, 2014

Mendocino County supervisors on Tuesday unanimously voted to support a bill that would overturn a year-old state ban on hunting bears and bobcats with hounds.

Assembly Bill 2205 would allow individual counties to decide whether to ban the use of hunting dogs to chase down and kill those animals.

“I think you guys should have the authority,” not somebody from Los Angeles or San Francisco, said Daniel Davis, a local member of California Houndsmen for Conservation, the bill’s sponsor.

The bill was introduced late last month by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, a Republican candidate for governor and gun-rights advocate. Supervisor John Pinches asked that a letter of support for the bill be placed on the board’s agenda.

“This is an issue where we can basically take control,” he said Tuesday.

California’s ban on hounds for sports hunting has been in effect since January 2013. It continues to allow the use of hounds to hunt errant bears that cause property damage.

The ban was sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States.

No one at Tuesday’s meeting spoke in opposition to the newly proposed bill but national Humane Society officials said they are dismayed by the attempt to revive hound hunts. They called it “unsporting, cruel and unnecessary.”

Four Mendocino County residents, including Davis, his mother and father, and Steve Johnson spoke in favor of overturning the ban.

Johnson, a winemaker, said he moved to a rural area because “I want to have my dogs, I want to hunt bears,” he said. “It’s what I like to do.”

“Me and my dad, this is our passion,” Davis said.

Supervisor Carre Brown said allowing houndsmen to hunt bears reduces the number of bears that get into trouble and must be killed by federal trappers.

“Management of marauding wildlife I think is very important,” she said.

Pinches said hound hunting also draws tourism dollars.

“You’ve got to give people things to do,” he said.

The other three supervisors did not comment.

You can reach Staff Writer Glenda Anderson at 462-6473 or glenda.anderson@pressdemocrat.com

WA State granting cougar hunts using hounds

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http://www.komonews.com/news/local/State-granting-cougar-hunts-using-hounds-246699781.html

TWISP, Wash. (AP) – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued five special permits in the Methow Valley allowing hunters to use dogs to track and kill cougars in response to numerous problems this winter.

The Wenatchee World reports the permits are a result of numerous sightings and incidents in which cougars have killed livestock and pets in the Twisp and Winthrop areas.

Wildlife officer Cal Treser says the permits are called public safety cougar removal permits, and they’re issued when areas experience numerous complaints. Hunters with hounds are drawn by permits and allowed to hunt in specific areas.

So far this winter, a dog was seriously injured and two goats and a sheep have been killed by cougars.

In 1996, Washington voters banned cougar hunting with the help of hound dogs, but since then lawmakers have gradually and increasingly made exemptions.

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End all use of dogs on wildlife.

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Petition to The Wisconsin legislature and Natural Resources Board of Wisconsin: End all use of dogs on wildlife.

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_Wisconsin_legislature_and_Natural_Resources_Board_of_Wisconsin_End_all_use_of_dogs_on_wildlife/?fbdm

Posted February 13, 2014

Why this is important

Wisconsin coyotes, wolves, bears, bobcats, raccoons, foxes and all wildlife are being run by packs of dogs and mobs of armed men for killing recreation year-round. Since coyotes can be killed without reporting, any time day or night, statewide, year-round, all wildlife is on the move, terrorized and killed randomly. Dogs used as weapons is cruel to the dogs, wildlife, and to children taught this is fun. Please help us get dogs out of hunting. They are set against trapped animals who cannot defend themselves. No one can defend themselves against armed men and dogs and traps in combination.

Sign the petition here:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_Wisconsin_legislature_and_Natural_Resources_Board_of_Wisconsin_End_all_use_of_dogs_on_wildlife/?fbdm

photo Jim Robertson

photo Jim Robertson

Action Alert: Washington Cougar Hound Hunting Legislation

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From the Mountain Lion Foundation: http://www.mountainlion.org/actionalerts/012814WAsb6287/012814WAsb6287.asp?utm_source=Cougar+Clippings+2%2F05%2F2014&utm_campaign=Clippings+02%2F05%2F2014&utm_medium=email

 

Washington state Senators Brian Dansel and Don Benton have authored a bill to force the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to allow trophy hunters to use hounds to kill cougars for fun.  Please help us stop this cruel and unnecessary bill!

February 4, 2014: SB 6287 Passes Resources Committee

This afternoon the Senate Natural Resources & Parks Committee passed the bill onward, despite demonstrated opposition at last week’s hearing.  The bill is moving toward the Senate floor where it will be voted upon sometime in the next two weeks (February 18th is the last day).

We are extremely short on time! Please contact your Senator NOW and urge him or her to vote against this terrible bill!  For tips on what to say, please scroll down below the video and see the bullet points.

January 20, 2014: Senate Bill 6287 Introduced

Washington state Senators Brian Dansel and Don Benton have coauthored a bill as part of the latest attempt to force the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to allow trophy hunters to use hounds to kill cougars for fun.  The bill states special “dangerous wildlife task teams must be developed in each county […] and a kill season with the aid of dogs must be established,” ultimately claiming they will hunt lions to protect the public and increase research on the species.  WDFW and the findings of numerous research projects have shown these hunting programs don’t work, and they can actually increase cougar-human conflicts.

Photo of lion in tree with snow covered pines in background.

The program is merely a feel-good title for a group of hunters who will use a pack of hounds to track and chase a cougar until it climbs a tree out of exhaustion, and then shoot the cat at close range off a tree branch.

Moreover, WDFW already has the authority to initiate special public safety hunts with the use of hounds, if needed (WAC 232-12-243).  But the agency has found instead, by utilizing the latest peer-reviewed science into management decisions, “Cougar conflicts have declined substantially in recent years as the Department continues to emphasize cougar awareness coupled with our agency kill authority of problem cougars at the time of an incident.”

Teaching the public about coexistence and only killing the individual cats causing problems has proven to be a more successful policy.

Allowing groups of hound hunters to kill random cougars in rural areas has not yielded any positive results.

Washington sport hunters (without dogs) currently shoot more than 100 lions each year, and WDFW has found this mortality level may already be too high.  The cougar population is declining and the excessive killing of adult lions has caused an age shift to younger cats which are more likely to come into conflict with people, pets, and livestock.

The agency has been using published research from Washington State University to revise and lower the state’s annual sport hunting quotas so that the cougar population may grow and mature.  The last thing we need is a new program to track and kill more cougars, especially cats that have never come into conflict with people.

Senate Bill 6287 is a redundant authorization of public safety hound hunts — WDFW already has this tool at its discretion anytime they determine it appropriate and necessary to use hounds to help kill cougars.

Senate Bill 6287 would also force WDFW to implement a wildlife killing program they know is unsuccessful and potentially dangerous.  The legislation is not backed by the Department, scientific research, or the majority of citizens in Washington.

In short: this is a BAD BILL.

Write a Letter to Your Legislators

If you live in Washington state you can help by writing a short letter to your legislative representatives telling them why you oppose Senate Bill 6287.  These letters will be used to demonstrate opposition to the bill and encourage the legislature to kill it.

A few minutes of your time could make a big difference and help Washington’s cougars.

If you live in Washington, please contact your legislators and urge them to oppose SB 6287.

Click here to look up your legislators’ contact information

Please also send MLF a copy of your letter and cc emails to info@mountainlion.org.  Thank you!

In your letter or telephone call, please point out:

  • Senate Bill 6287 is a redundant authorization of public safety hound hunts — WDFW already has this tool at its discretion anytime they determine it appropriate and necessary to use hounds to help kill cougars.
  • Senate Bill 6287 would also force the Department of Fish and Wildlife to implement a wildlife killing program they know is unsuccessful and potentially dangerous.  The legislation is not backed by the Department, scientific research, or the majority of citizens in Washington.
  • Washington residents have repeatedly shown we do not support the use of hounds to track, tree, and kill wildlife for fun.  It’s a cruel and outdated unsportsmanlike hobby that needs to remain illegal.
  • This bill would allow hound hunters to kill cougars that have posed no threat to people, which may actually increase the percentage of problem cougars in our state.

CThumbnail of Comment Form. Click here to open.

Personalized, hard-copy letters (snail mail) have a larger impact than emails or opinions submitted through online comment forms.

But every effort helps.

So if you only have a few minutes to help, please use this form to submit your thoughts on SB 6287:

Washington Legislature – SB 6287 Comment Form

Thank you so very much for taking the time to help protect Washington’s cougars!