I am extremely angry and…

I am extremely angry and disheartened how this ‘training’ proposal can even be considered. As stated by Mahatma Gandhi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” To allow selected animals of ‘less value’ to be terrorized, hunted, abused, tortured & killed violently in the name of training is an archaic, arrogant ideology that will set Ontario & Canada back even farther regarding animal welfare & protection laws. As of 2020, a study conducted by the World Animal Protection global charity and graded 50 countries regarding animal welfare & protection. An ‘A’ being a top score & ‘G’ the lowest. Canada was given a ‘D’ rating. This scoring included an assessment of the countries legislation to protect wildlife. As more & more scientific studies show that many, many other creatures are sentient beings with thoughts, feelings, & self awareness, Canada should be fighting for the rights of those that can’t speak for themselves. We have no right to exploit the lives of wildlife as a means to our ends and try to justify it as schooling. This isn’t the Middle Ages. This proposal brings us closer to that rather than moving us forward. In 2023, not only do we know what sentient beings animals are and how much more alike we are to them but there are also countless, non-costly, humane methods to train canines. They are also incredibly intelligent, recently studies showing even much more than believed. Dogs are completely capable of learning without the suffering of another animal. A bear doesn’t need to have claws & teeth ripped out & be chained to the ground to teach dogs to hunt. That’s considered abuse. Using smaller animals in what is basically a penned yard is no different. I am obviously completely against this proposal. I will fight this however I’m able. I will be sure to notify my local representatives regarding this and will not support any person or party that finds this idea acceptable.