SB 1221 - anti-hunting bill

 

Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
1020 N Street, Room 160
Sacramento, California 95814
916.319.2196 fax

June 29, 2012

 

Re: SB 1221 Lieu: Mammals; use of dog to hunt bobcats/bears (as amended 3-26-12): OPPOSE.

 

Dear Assemblyman Huffman and committee members,

 

The California Federation of Dog Clubs wishes to reiterate our staunch opposition to SB 1221, and urges you to reject this bill. Wildlife policy should be determined by science and logic, not emotion. Use of dogs to tree animals that pose a danger to humans is an efficient and humane method of wildlife management. The California Fish and Game Commission is the appropriate agency with the scientific resources to make determinations regarding regulations on hunting, not the legislature.

 

While SB 1221 bans certain types of hunting with hounds, it also poses a serious threat to any dog being walked by its owner, if that dog is deemed to threaten or pursue a bear or bobcat. This bill gives DFG officials the authority to shoot ANY dog they believe to be chasing bears or bobcats. This is extreme government over-reach and abuse of regulatory authority.

 

More than banning hunting with dogs, history shows that animal rights extremist groups have attempted to ban all fieldwork with dogs. All forms of dog training are now being challenged on government owned land. In the late 1990's, there was a directed attempt to ban field trialers, dog testers, and organized dog training from Pittman-Robertson funded state game lands. Venery (scenthound hunting/training), and coursing (sighthound hunting/training) are all in danger is SB 1221 becomes law. 

 

We urge you to reject this ill-conceived idea which would establish a dangerous "foot in the door" precedent. This measure is meant to promote the anti-hunting agenda of the HSUS and other animal extremist groups. It poses a serious threat to the traditional human-dog partnership that has existed since the dawn of time.

 

Please vote NO on SB 1221.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

 

Geneva Coats, R.N.

Secretary

California Federation of Dog Clubs

 

CC: Jared Huffman, Linda Halderman, Bill Berryhill, Bob Blumenfield, Nora Campos, Paul Fong, Beth Gaines, Mike Gatto, Roger Hernandez, Ben Hueso, Brian W. Jones, Ricardo Lara, Mariko Yamada