READ OUR UPDATE ON THIS ACTION ALERT (4.21.10)!

READ OUR UPDATE ON THIS ACTION ALERT (2.19.10)!

ACTION ALERT

HELP BAN COYOTE & FOX PENNING IN FLORIDA

YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED!

On February 17th, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will consider whether to ban or restrict the controversial practice of coyote and fox “penning” in the state. “Penning” involves the trapping, trading and selling of live coyotes and foxes to hound hunting training facilities. The captured wild canines are then released into pens and used to “train” hunting dogs. Considered “sport” – and legal in many states across the South and Midwest – one coyote or fox may be pitted against packs of hound dogs who are released into the pens to pursue the wild animals- domestic canine pitted against wild canine. This practice parallels dog and cock-fighting – activities made illegal in all U.S. states in the last twenty years. Many penned coyotes and foxes are literally torn apart by the dog pack.

A recent investigation of several penning facilities across the state by the FWC led to the arrest of 12 people and the issuance of 46 citations for various violations related to penning practices. Operators of such pens often charge a fee for individuals to train their hunting dogs on the captive coyotes and foxes. Project Coyote, the Animal Welfare Institute, and other national and state organizations strongly condemn coyote/fox penning as inhumane and ecologically reckless and seek to ban this practice nationwide. Moreover, transporting wild animals for penning purposes has directly led to the spread of rabies and other diseases. See our letter to the FWC supporting a ban on this practice, signed by over 60 prominent scientists/biologists, ethicists, veterinarians, and attorneys.

Your voice is needed in support of a ban of this practice! The FWC will be considering this issue over several months in 2010 (see our action alert update) SO IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE KEEP LETTERS FLOWING INTO THE FWC! If you have not already written on this issue, please do so today. Your voice WILL make a difference!

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. PLEASE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR A COMPLETE BAN OF “PENNING” STATEWIDE. Submit comments to (see talking points above and below):

   Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
   620 South Meridian Street
   Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
   EMAIL: Commissioners@MyFWC.com

   Please also cc your letters to:

   Governor Charlie Crist (Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com)
   Mr. Nick Wiley, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Nick.Wiley@myfwc.com)
   Major Curtis Brown, Special Ops. Coordinator Florida Division of Law Enforcement (curtis.brown@myfwc.com)
   Ms. Kathleen Hampton, Office of Executive Director (Kathleen.Hampton@MyFWC.com)

2. Call your state representative and senator (FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY) and request that they please ask the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to ban fox pens (You can find their contact information here: capwiz.com/compassionindex/dbq/vote_info )

3. If you live in Florida, please consider attending and testifying at the FWC hearing on February 17th in Apalachicola where they will receive the staff recommendations regarding penning and accept public testimony on this issue. We need a good showing at this hearing! Details:

   Date: February 17th
   Time: 8:30am EST (penning report & testimony expected during afternoon)
   Place: Franklin County Courthouse, 33 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL
   More info: myfwc.com/COMMISSION/2010/Comm_10_AgendaFeb.htm