The HSUS Applauds Alabama Officials for Wildlife Penning Investigation

December 6, 2007

The HSUS requests rule banning dog running enclosures

WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States sent a letter to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Commissioner of Conservation Barnett Lawley commending the Department's efforts to uncover individuals abusing wildlife for penning activities. The HSUS also urges the Department to impose tighter regulations banning this cruel industry once and for all.

Countless wild animals across the nation are trapped and transported hundreds of miles to be used as bait in dog running pens. These animals, usually foxes or coyotes, are released in enclosed pens to be run down by packs of dogs. Unfortunately, most meet a grisly end when they are caught by the pursuing dogs and ripped apart.

"The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has unveiled the cruelties inherent in penning enclosures," said Andrew Page, director of The HSUS hunting campaign. "The parallels between these grisly penning operations and other animal fighting operations, such dogfighting, are glaring."

The Department has prohibited the artificial stocking of enclosures with wildlife trapped or obtained outside of the enclosure. However, running dogs on wildlife within an enclosure is permitted if wildlife are found inside the pen naturally. These regulations are confusing and make violators difficult to prosecute.

Wildlife penning causes unnecessary pain & suffering and spreads disease through the unregulated transport of wild animals. The HSUS looks forward to working with the Department to put an end to this inhumane industry.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty.  On the web at  humanesociety.org.