The hunting of wildlife in…

The hunting of wildlife in penned cages is an absolutely barbaric practice that must come to an end. The province was absolutely on the right track phasing out this type of animal cruelty and we cannot open the door to allowing more of these facilities to operate.

I am frankly concerned about the type of people that would take enjoyment in this activity. In a world that is becoming increasingly violent, we should not provide a legal opportunity to take part in sadistic activities. People that cause violence against other people often start by causing violence against animals.

If someone was seeking a permit to carry out these activities where cats or dogs were hunted, people would be outraged and it would never be permitted. Wildlife feel the same pain and fear that wildlife do. I am not against hunting. I grew up in a hunting family. Our dogs were taught to retrieve game that would be later eaten. They did not require training in a pen. We do not terrorize wildlife simply for the sake of killing it.

I encourage you to seriously consider what repealing the phasing out of these pens says about Ontario as a progressive province. We should be a leader in wildlife conservation and the creation of laws that forbid cruelty to animals. Because this is exactly what this is.

I hope you will make the right choice to protect our wildlife.

Thank you.