Bear-Hunting Dogs in Danger

September 29, 2013

There has been quite a bit in the news lately concerning the ongoing dog deaths and costs to Wisconsin citizens arising out of our state’s ongoing subsidy of a small sub-group of hunters, bear hunters, who year after year send their unleashed hound dogs to their deaths in known DNR Caution Areas for the sport of pursuing bears for hours on end.

Wisconsin appears to be the only state in the country that subsidizes, even rewards, this type of risky, repellant hunting through reimbursements of $2,500 per dead dog, plus veterinarian costs.

We bring this to your attention as another animal welfare issue of concern.  Please see the headlines to the right for more information.

Headlines

September 27, 2013
Wisconsin Should Stop Paying Bear Hunters When Predators Kill the Hounds
Journal Sentinel

• Why does Wisconsin continue to pay up to $2,500 per fatally-mauled dog, when it is the hunting hound owner's choice to use the dog in that fashion?
  

September 27, 2013
Wisconsin on Record Pace for Number of Bear-Hunting Dogs Killed This Year
Wisconsin State Journal

• This has been a deadly year for bear-hunting hounds.

September 24, 2013
Stop Using Hounds to Hunt Bear in Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Journal

• Many states have banned using hounds for bear hunting. They aren’t necessary to maintain suitable wildlife numbers. It’s time for this cruelty to stop.
  

September 24, 2013
Wisconsin Pays Bear Hunters for Dogs Killed by Wolves.  Why?
The Political Environment

• The State of Wisconsin allows bear hunters to use dogs in the chase. Bear hunters are even given maps, public information and common-sense warnings by the DNR to avoid letting their dogs train and run to their death near bear bait sites or known wolf rendezvous areas (read the comments) - - but the DNR still pays up to $2,500 for any dog killed by a wolf.  What's the message and justification there?