I was happy in the 90’s when…

I was happy in the 90’s when a Conservative government started the process of phasing out licences for dog trial areas in Ontario. I did not think I would have to worry about this regressive practice being allowed again. We are a modern, 21st century society, not some subsistence society that needs to use dogs to survive. The practice of penned hunting under the guise of “training” hunting dogs, exercising hunting dogs, and running competitions between these dogs is a not acceptable in a modern society. I find it ridiculous that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are even considering this proposal.

Putting wildlife species into pens with dogs, and allowing them to be chased around is cruel. Normally, this treatment of native wildlife would be met with significant penalties from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. I can see no other reason for this proposal than a capitulation to the lobbying efforts of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

As a forester who works for the natural resources industry, I spend a lot of time in the forest. Wildlife should be seen in the forest and not being chased around in pens by dogs for the entertainment of people.

The only responsible thing to do is continue the phasing out of all areas currently regulated for these “training” practices under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997. In addition, do not permit the issuance of licences for new dog train and trial areas (or the transfer of existing licences) to occur.

Allowing the continued use of these facilities would be a failure of one of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s primary missions: protecting Ontario’s wildlife and biodiversity.