Bill Description:
This bill instructs the Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish a five-year pilot program within select game management units of six counties to allow hunting of cougars with the aid of dogs[teaserbreak]
Other counties besides those six included in the bill may request inclusion in the pilot program. During the five pilot seasons, the Department will gather the information necessary to recommend to the legislature whether the program should be permanent.
Background:
The use of dogs to hunt wild animals is a particularly savage method of hunting. “Hounding” involves attaching radio collars to dogs so hunters can monitor their movements as they track wildlife. The dogs chase the wild animal for hours until, exhausted and confused, the prey is cornered or gives up. The hunter, trailing behind, shoots the trapped animal. This also endangers the dogs, who can suffer terrible injuries when fearful animals strike back. When injured and no longer able to hunt, the dogs are sometimes simply abandoned.
This is a brutal and unnecessary hunting method that should not be implemented in Washington.
Take Action:
Washington residents, contact your state senator and urge him or her to oppose this legislation.
Read the full text and follow its progress here.