I strongly oppose the…

I strongly oppose the Ministry’s proposal to allow for new licences, as well as the transfer of existing licenses, for dog train and trial areas in Ontario.

Penned dog hunting facilities are unnecessarily cruel and inhumane to the wild animals used to train the dogs to hunt. Wildlife should never be taken from their natural environment and be held captive by humans unless necessary for the wild animal’s benefit, which this is absolutely not. They especially should not be held captive by hunters who do not care for their well-being.

It is inhumane to use any animal, including rabbits, coyotes and foxes to bait train dogs, as this causes unnecessary stress and harm to those animals.

New licenses for dog train and trial facilities are a huge step backward for society. These facilities have no place in Ontario. Instead of allowing new applications, I call for the province’s existing 24 facilities to be closed immediately.