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Controversy Surrounds Ontario’s Dog Sport Licensing Expansion

The debate on a controversial dog sport in Ontario has led to notable divisions within Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative caucus. Initially, Ford agreed to cancel a proposed licensing system for dog training and trial areas, a measure designed to revitalize an activity that has been declining for years. However, the decision was later reversed, according to information from The Canadian Press.

In specific training and trial environments, hunters are permitted to release dogs in expansive, fenced areas, allowing them to pursue game such as coyotes, foxes, and rabbits. The provincial government maintains that these areas are monitored for the safety of both the animals and the wildlife.

After extensive lobbying from proponents of the sport, the provincial government introduced a plan in the spring of the previous year through the Environmental Registry. This proposal would enable a one-time, 90-day license application opportunity and permit existing licenses to be transferred to new owners. These changes were included in a broader red tape reduction bill that was enacted in June 2023.

The sport has largely diminished since the late 1990s, when the Progressive Conservative government under Mike Harris began to phase out its practice. This included halting the issuance of the necessary licenses for operating dog training and trial areas and prohibiting the sale or transfer of existing licenses.

Once boasting over 60 such facilities, Ontario is now home to just 24, all located on private lands and fully enclosed to prevent animal escape.

In these training areas, dogs are unleashed to hone their hunting skills in environments that can span hundreds of hectares. Wild animals, such as coyotes, are captured and relocated to these fenced spaces, allowing the dogs to train in a controlled setting.

The trial component of the sport features competitive events where judges evaluate the dogs on their hunting abilities, awarding points and recognizing champions.

Following the announcement of the potential expansion last year, former conservation officers criticized the practice based on their investigations. Rick Maw and Wayne Lintack have described the sport as inhumane, contending that rules meant to protect the animals are often unenforceable. Their investigations revealed serious issues, including illegal capturing and housing of coyotes for use as prey, culminating in a coyote trafficking ring.

In 2006, a series of raids conducted by conservation officers across southern Ontario led to the seizure of nearly two dozen coyotes and the filing of numerous charges. Although the legal proceedings faltered, the government ultimately shuttered one of the facilities where animals were found in poor conditions.

Maw and Lintack argued that attempts to regulate the sport lack the necessary teeth, allowing harmful practices to go unchecked. They shared that initial inspections often failed to uncover the realities of operations, requiring undercover investigations to reveal the troubling truths.

Internal Party Disputes and Public Outcry

As the omnibus legislation came under review, Maw and Lintack urged lawmakers to reconsider any potential expansion. Their concerns were echoed by hundreds of public complaints, despite the bill passing ultimately.

Six members of the Progressive Conservative party, including two cabinet ministers, provided insights into the internal debates sparked by the expansion news and conservation officers’ warnings. This discord intensified in August 2023, following the release of disturbing footage by the advocacy group Animal Justice, showing dogs chasing a coyote.

Following the video’s circulation and increased pressure from animal rights advocates, some Progressive Conservatives actively opposed the expansion. Notably, backbenchers Christine Hogarth and Jess Dixon led efforts to halt the initiative, fueled by their concerns for animal welfare.

In early September, with the expansion plans facing backlash from within the party, hunters launched a letter-writing campaign urging Ford and Natural Resources Minister Graydon Smith to reconsider the decision. Members of an online community for hunters expressed their frustration, feeling abandoned in the wake of shifting political tides.

Despite the pushback, many members within the government felt that continuing with the initiative was increasingly untenable, leading to the decision to drop the licensing plans. One source noted, “This had become a distraction for us, and many in the party were not even aware of the sport’s existence.”

As the situation evolved, hunters responded with additional lobbying efforts, driven by concerns over impending elections. Ford’s office remained noncommittal about the reversal of the expansion plans.

Melissa Candelaria, a spokesperson for the Natural Resources Minister, defended the training facilities, asserting that they promote safe interactions for both dogs and wildlife. These venues are subject to regular inspections and must comply with stringent regulations designed to protect wildlife, with serious consequences for any violations.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters expressed satisfaction with the government’s decision to move forward with new licenses, asserting that the process was established with expert guidance.

In response to the government’s actions, Animal Justice filed an application questioning the legality of the laws affecting these facilities under the province’s Environmental Bill of Rights, asserting that such practices are detrimental to Ontario’s wildlife.

With applications for train and trial licenses currently open until the end of December, the future of this sport hangs in the balance as approvals are expected shortly in the new year.

Source
globalnews.ca