Hound hunting and the inhumane sport of "Penning"
Hound Dog Training Enclosures in Wisconsin
Penning is the legal practice of confining coyotes, foxes, rabbits, bear and bobcat in fenced enclosures and allowing packs of dogs to chase and maul them for "training", “bloodsport” and “entertainment" with little opportunity for protection or escape; a cruel and vicious practice that is prevalent in Wisconsin. This legalized bloodsport was ushered into law in 2001 & 2003 (see link "Penning legislation" and "DNR penning regulations").
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"Raccoon roll cages" - Raccoons are suspended high upon a tree branch in small round cages and dropped to the ground in the midst of a pack of hound dogs. The dogs then snap, bark, snarl and spin the cage around repeatedly in a frenzy while human onlookers attempt to raise the level of frenzy. Raccoon roll cages are are also dragged along the ground while dogs chase and attack it in a frenzy. This also legally occurs in what is called "Field Trials". This is NOT to be confused with bird field trials which is what people most often think.
Every year in Wisconsin, hundreds of wild animals are trapped, bred, traded and/sold to penning operations, both legally and illegally. With dogs tearing apart the captive animals, there is a constant demand for fresh wildlife for these enclosures. It is also legal to use bobcats and bears to train dogs although regulations require a fence separating them. (See Regulations below)
Aside from the inhumane and profound suffering, incomprehensible fear, stress and death upon wild animals subjected to these activities, penning can also lead to the spread of diseases within and between domestic and wild animals.
"Silver Dog Song:
A Wildlife Story"
"She is closer; nose to the ground she begins to circle in on it, incensed by this new smell…. Snap!"
This story by Project Coyote.Org depicts the journey taken by a coyote trapped for one purpose only: Penning. This bloodsport is legislated in at least 19 states including Wisconsin. There are approximately 30 licensed penning facilities in Wisconsin. Regulations are complaint-based only. State agency reports low compliance for required quarter & annual reports. See Fact Sheet (HSUS) and/or scroll down for more links. Penning is morally corrupt; violates all tenets of the most basic animal welfare laws; violates hunting ethics; spreads disease; commercializes wildlife and grossly violates the very foundation of the Public Trust Doctrine.
Here is an example from Wisconsin of a hound dog hunter engaging in animal cruelty towards a kitten all in the name of "captive wildlife training". Wisconsin does not take action if cats are tortured with dogs as long as they are not visibly “harmed.” Wisconsin also doesn’t take action if you let your hounds physically attack wildlife and video tape it as long as the animal wasn’t shown being killed.
Here is another example of blatant violation of DNR regulations pertaining to hound dogs and wildlife. This activity occurs throughout the woods of Wisconsin and is a direct result of "penning", captive live-bait training. The "trained" hound dogs are then taken into our woods; wolves, coyotes, bears, raccoons, bobcats, rabbits are often times finished off by the dogs. Reports are initiated but wild animals have no protections in Wisconsin.
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There is no biological reason to kill coyotes; this is a form of hunting recreation provided by the WDNR.
