An impassioned plea for the abolition of dog hunting enclosures in Ontario is being made by an animal rights organization, Animal Justice. The group’s advocacy follows an investigation – substantiated with undercover video – that revealed hunters engaging in what has been termed “injustices” that resulted in both the prey and the predators suffering injuries.
The Doug Ford Administration sanctioned an omnibus bill in June that, inter alia, endorses further fences to be erected for practice and training areas in the region. This follows a twenty-year suspension of licensing by the Progressive Conservative Mike Harris government, but now, 24 enclosures continue to operate in Ontario.
These sectors allow hunting dogs to pursue wildlife, such as coyotes, foxes, or rabbits, within sizeable, confined boundaries. As per Camille Labchuk, Executive Director of Animal Justice, coyotes suffer immense fear while being chased by dogs eager for the hunt.
Last spring saw Animal Justice, a non-profit dedicated to advocating more robust animal protection laws, commence their own exploration into these regions. They sent an undercover representative to observe a competitive event held within one enclosure in eastern Ontario. This event had several hunting dogs released on coyotes, all vying to win.
The footage, while graphic, conceals the identities of the hunters and does not disclose the name of the licensed hunting area. It captured the unsettling scene of groups of dogs course through the woodland areas within the enclosure in a relentless pursuit of coyotes. Judges were scattered across the zone, tallying the frequency of the dogs’ active chase involvement.
The footage revealed distressing images of coyotes, mauled by dogs in these confines. In one instance, an owner openly prompts two dogs to attack a maimed, defenseless coyote. Critical images of dogs that sustained injuries while trailing coyotes were also highlighted.
Labchuck expressed her concern, stating these hunting pens were harmful not just for the captured coyotes but also posed a threat to the province’s biodiversity. The animals, drawn into these pens, cannot coexist naturally with the rest of the population; their ultimate fate is to be “terrorized to death”.
Animal Justice implored the Minister for Natural Resources and Forestry via a letter to bring a halt to these facilities. The group posits that no humane approach exists for pen dog hunting. Despite usually advocating alternatives like stricter licensing and supervision, in this case, they believe such measures would not adequately address the mental trauma inflicted upon the wildlife or the relocation of animals into the enclosures.
The ministry’s response, via spokeswoman Melissa Candelaria, indicated that the ministry’s conservation officers evaluated practice and training facilities to check their adherence to firm regulations. However, she noted that they could not verify the media content’s origin shared by Animal Justice.
Despite the ministry’s assurances, dubious reports of lax enforcement of laws governing these facilities linger. Two ex-conservation officers disclosed hunters trapping coyotes daily, with a significant number of them being killed. Both individuals prompt for a ban on these areas.
According to the new legislation, a 90-day window is to be initiated for new applicants to submit their requests. This legislation will also facilitate the transfer of licenses, which was earlier prohibited.
Kirsten Snoek, Wildlife Biologist with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH), called for a comprehensive investigation, condemning the disrespect shown towards game animals. She also expressed support for the expansion of licenses but voiced her advocacy for increased conservation officers and stricter enforcement.
John Bell, President of the Ontario Sporting Dog Association (OSDA), expressed disappointment over the critiques Animal Justice made, claiming the video “mischaracterizes the sport and its commitment to animal welfare”.
Animal welfare advocates suggest alternatives to training confined wildlife. They propose using scent drags to train hunting dogs, thus eliminating the need to cage wildlife within training facilities. It is still unclear whether the ministry is considering a ban on these facilities or whether they’re contemplating alternatives.
