As a dog trainer and dog…

As a dog trainer and dog competition enthusiast I can say that broadly speaking dog training has changed tremendously since 1997. It is now more thoughtful, informed and respectful of dogs' innate abilities to reason, learn and engage with us as trainers and handlers and the environments in which we work with them.

A practice of caging wild game as a means of training seems, by these more enlightened standards, questionable.

I think it prudent to question the actual value of exposing dogs to the scent of terrified, caged animals as means of training tracking in a natural manner given that it is undeniably a cruel and inhumane practice to treat wildlife in such a way.

If the net impact is judged to be neutral of reversing the decision to phase out this practice, I'd suggest the progressive rather than regressive approach should be undertaken. Allow the remainder of the licences to expire and let this antiquated practice come to an end in Ontario.