I am appalled at, and…

I am appalled at, and strongly oppose, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s proposal to allow new licenses, and the transfer of existing licenses, for dog train and trial areas in Ontario. These facilities should not exist at all and to propose that they be expanded is atrocious. I support the Five Freedoms of the SPCA for the humane treatment of all animals: All animals should enjoy, as a minimum, five essential freedoms:

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst
2, Freedom from pain, injury and disease
3. Freedom from distress
4. Freedom from discomfort
5. Freedom to express behaviours that promote well-being.

Penned dog hunting facilities are cruel to the wild animals used to train dogs to hunt and wildlife should never be taken from their natural environments and held captive by hunters. It is inhumane to use rabbits, coyotes, and foxes as bait to train dogs. New licenses for dog train and trial facilities are a huge step backward for society. These facilities have no place in Ontario or anywhere else. Instead of allowing new applications, the province’s existing 24 facilities need to be closed immediately.