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Dawg vs. Hawg—Who Wins? The Antis
This is not a reference to an SEC football game, but there’s probably just as much alcohol involved. Several men in south Florida were busted on a Seminole Indian reservation for setting up fights between wild boars and dogs. The bouts lasted 60 seonds and were held in small pens between pit bull terriers or bulldogs and a wild pig.
According to a Humane Society spokesman, this "blood sport" has been going on for at least 25 years. In response to the arrests, the owner of the operation told the AP that she believed the cops were acting at the behest of animal rights activists.
So I got to thinking, when it comes to hunting I'll steer clear of bear-hugging antis like they were a radiation leak. As for food issues, such as demanding corporate farms to raise chickens in decent conditions (read: not in cages where they can't spread their wings), I can understand the Humane Society's argument. What do you think? Is there common ground for animal rights organizations and hunters?
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I think every animal should be treated humanely, regardless of our use for them. It sickens me to know there are dog fights held every day, and this is in the same category as them. Hunters are conservationists, without us many animals would needlessly die from starvation and disease. People of this nature are just sick, twisted whacko's that somehow get pleasure from seeing animals suffer. Throw the book at them, it's the only way things like this will lessen over time.
Posted by: Jeff Drenning | January 30, 2006 at 11:28 AM
One of my hunting mentors taught me as a child that you should never enjoy killing another animal, only the success of the hunt. Now I know that's a fine line, but it's an important line to distinguish.
As for the "animal rights" groups, I've always believed that harvesting game in the field is just about as humane as it gets. What do these groups say to deer/car collisions? Should we stop driving because it's not fair that an animal gets hit?
Posted by: Will | January 30, 2006 at 02:59 PM
I agree with the stance that the animals we are going to eat should have better living conditions. I believe mad cow disease and bird flu are the results of the way these animals are being kept. Mad cow disease results from feeding beef to cows. That right there is unnatural. I don't care how cost effective it is.
Hunters have a reputation that is on the fence and a strong effort could show the public that hunters are not malicious and do care about animals. I think a lot of people who don't hunt do not understand about conservation.
Posted by: Brian | January 31, 2006 at 04:03 AM
When I first came to this comments section, I was very tentative about coming in. I was afraid that the comments would be thoughtless, uncaring, unfeeling, testosterone filled bravado, decrying the humane treatment of animals. I am so relieved to see the true depth of character and concern from my fellow hunters, for these helpless creatures we count on for food.
I should have known that hunters, more than probably any other group of people on the planet, understand and appreciate what the kill is about. But also know deep in their hearts that the kill is only noble when the chase is fair. That tormenting, and torturing animals for sport and profit is as sick at the human heart can get. Even the way animals are treated as they are processed for food has to be humane and ethical. I`ve never eaten veal for this very reason. And for sure, staging battle between any animal is as black and desolate a place as a heart and mind can be.
Thanks to you all for showing compassion and what a true hunters heart is about.
Posted by: Greg Russell | March 05, 2006 at 07:34 PM