The current intention of no…

The current intention of phasing out dog train and trialing areas is now potentially being changed. Previously "New train and trial areas were last approved to be established in 1997 and were intended to be phased-out over time.", but new intentions are moving to change that position to allow a 3 month period where new applications would be accepted again as well as to allow transfer of licenses (refer to ERO number 019-3685), thereby prolonging the existence of these facilities contrary to original intentions.

This proposed change serves to allow what might be termed "Open Season" to allow many new facilities to open up and effectively negate the original intentions of the act for ending these "training" facilities. We should not allow these facilities to continue to chase, harass, and also kill wild animals in captivity. The dogs will chase the captive animals to the boundaries of the facility and/or kill them (as is so delicately approached in the proposal, intimating harm to the general wildlife population would be minimal). This is inhumane and unconscionable. The proposal indicates "The fenced areas are designed to keep both the wildlife and the dogs confined to the area (not allowing for the free passage of wildlife).". It also indicates "These species have sustainable populations and there are no concerns with limited take of small numbers for licensed train and trial areas.", aluding to continually obtaining new or replacement wild animals as they are eliminated from a facility or a new facility is opened.

This training practice needs to end. It is simply an easier way for dog owners to participate in an unarmed hunting expedition without the effort and requirement of making their own scent trail for their dogs to follow using a scent distribution method, such as a scent impregnated cloth being dragged over a trail area.

The harm to the wildlife being chased repeatedly is immeasurable. This practice should stop, and owners should be required to lay out a scent trail on their own (or pay for one to be created), on a designated area with no catch or kill of wildlife permitted. No wild animals should be hunted and harassed for training purposes.

Do not open up new facilities, do not allow the transfer of licenses, and cease this archaic practice as current guidance intends. Instead, encourage the manual creation of scent trails for dogs to follow in a designated area, allowing the creation of licenses for this purpose only.