Minister Graydon Smith: I…

I was disturbed to see the Ontario government considering allowing new cruel "train and trial areas". Please leave the ban on penned hunting in place and shut down any remaining train and trial areas in Ontario.

I'm against the Ontario government's plan to reverse a province-wide ban on new cruel "train and trial areas" where hunters participate in the bloodsport of penned dog hunting. Ontario passed a law in 1997 to phase out new penned hunting facilities for important reasons. Penned hunting is incredibly cruel to the coyotes, foxes, and rabbits who are used as live bait.

In penned dog hunting, terrified foxes, coyotes, and rabbits run for their lives, but have nowhere to escape to. When caught, they're are often viciously killed by dogs who are trained to rip them apart, piece by piece. The dogs forced to participate can also suffer from injuries and death. The animals used as bait are usually caught by trappers and sold to be released into these pens and hunted to death. Sometimes, these animals are bred so their offspring can be used in captive hunts.

A large majority of Canadians are against hunting animals for sport. This research shows that more than four out of five Canadians are against it. No other Canadian province allows penned dog hunting, and the shocking practice is unlawful in most of the United States. Penned hunting is also a public health risk. The trade and transportation of wildlife is a major contributor to the spread of disease and parasites, including zoonotic diseases that can infect wildlife, domestic animals, and humans.

Please keep the ban on this cruel bloodsport.