A bill pending in the state legislature would ban the cruel practice of bear and bobcat hounding. Senate Bill 1221 has passed the Assembly and faces a final Senate vote before next Friday’s deadline.
Hounding is an unsporting and inhumane activity where packs of radio-collared dogs are released into the woods to chase frightened bears and bobcats for hours until the exhausted prey seek refuge into trees where hunters can shoot them at point-blank range. It’s not uncommon that the hounds maul the bear or bobcat when they catch them on the ground, sometimes literally ripping the animal apart. Dogs often get injured, lost or abandoned. This is reckless “recreation” that most states have already prohibited.
Californians overwhelmingly oppose this practice. A 2011 poll revealed 83 percent of us oppose bear hounding. It’s time for California to end this shameful practice once and for all.
Senator Pavley voted to support SB 1221 back in May. Join me in urging their “yes” vote this week.
Maureen Edwards
Calabasas, Calif.