Stop Cruel Hound Hunting of Predators
UPDATE: June 14, the California State Legislature is considering banning the use of hounds to hunt bears and bobcats. Please ask your state assembly member to support Senate Bill 1221.
On April 24, the California Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water voted 5 to 3 to advance Senate Bill 1221—legislation which would prohibit the inhumane and unsporting practices of bear and bobcat hounding. Nearly 200 humane advocates attended the hearing to show their support for the legislation and their efforts helped pass the bill out of committee. Now we need your help to support this legislation going forward.
California voters have expressed their views against mountain lion hunting in two statewide ballot measures in 1990 and 1996. While mountain lions are protected from the cruelty of hound hunting, other predators are not. California does not currently prohibit hound hunting of black bear and bobcats -- that could soon change. State Senator Ted Lieu has introduced Senate Bill 1221 which bans hound hunting of bears and bobcats in the state.
Hounding is an inhumane and unsporting practice where trophy hunters use packs of radio-collared dogs to chase down bears and bobcats before the hunter shoots the terrified and exhausted animal off a tree branch. It also leads to dog welfare problems and a drain on animal sheltering resources. Dogs may be struck by vehicles, die as a result of dehydration or confrontations with wildlife, or be abandoned at local animal shelters.
TAKE ACTION The bill cleared an important hurdle on April 24, when it passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee thanks to the efforts of our supporters. Now the California State Assembly is considering the bill and your assembly member is a key vote on this important issue. Please make a brief, polite phone call to your assembly member asking for support for Senate Bill 1221 to ban the inhumane and unsporting practice of bear and bobcat hounding. Look up your legislators' phone numbers.
After you make your calls, fill out the form below to send a brief, polite follow up to your state assembly member. Elected officials receive a lot of email. Please be sure to edit your message so it stands out.