Bear baiting existed in the UK many years ago. It is outlawed in most civilised countries nowadays, but not in all. There are also those who break the law by indulging in this cruel "sport". even though it is illegal. This blogger created a hub on Hubpages sometime ago regarding bear baiting in South Carolina, USA. Sadly it seems that 18 months down the road this tormenting of bears continues.
Hubpages, 2010: "I was appalled to see on UK television news bear baiting in America, of all places. The UK was guilty of bear baiting but it was outlawed here in the early 1800s. No doubt rogue bear baiting continued for some time but it would still have vanished ages ago.
America is a great country but like everywhere in the world it has its problems. Bear baiting should not still be one of them. The news reports claimed that bear hunters are partly responsible for this "sport" or "training regime".
This treatment of bears in still legal in the state of South Carolina. It appears that bear hunters are using "bear baying" as they call it to train their dogs to hunt bears. The bears have their teeth and claws removed before being chained to the spot.
Packs of dogs were seen in one video trying to attack the bear's legs so that it stood on its back legs. With no fangs, teeth or claws the bear is pretty defenceless. It must also be terrified. Of course a bear is a powerful creature and it will pack a mean punch. As the bear is tethered though its movements are limited.
The Humane Society of the United States of America has stepped in to fight for the bears. As their representative John Goodwin has said:-
'Bear baiting' events can have up to one hundred dogs attacking a defenseless bear. "One pack after another. The bear gets no relief, no break to get some water and this goes on to up to four hours."
The Humane Society report reads:
"A black bear cowers in the corner of a pen in rural South Carolina. She is tethered to a stake, surrounded by hundreds of onlookers. She is foaming at the mouth and popping her jaws, behavior that means she is terrified. Her captors have cut or removed her claws and many of her teeth, leaving her defenseless.
Three hounds run at the bear from one end of the arena, barking furiously. Some of them bite her face and legs. Others jump on her. She backs up on her hind legs, trying vainly to shield her face. The assault continues for four hours, as nearly 300 dogs attack her in quick succession. This spectacle is a bear baiting competition, called a "bear bay" by participants, and is practiced only in South Carolina. It is similar to the archaic blood sport of bear baiting."
I was saddened to read that although dog fighting is banned in the States the bears have no such protection. Permits to own bears for such events are issued by The Department of Natural Resources. These permits have been longstanding and it has been claimed that new permits will not be issued. Unless there is firm legislation against such practices though that statement offers no help to the bears involved.
Watch the videos and look at the images. Can this be acceptable behaviour? I think not. Make sure that if you agree you sign any petitions and lobby those in power."
You can sign a petition, to stop this cruel practice, here
Hubpages, 2010: "I was appalled to see on UK television news bear baiting in America, of all places. The UK was guilty of bear baiting but it was outlawed here in the early 1800s. No doubt rogue bear baiting continued for some time but it would still have vanished ages ago.
America is a great country but like everywhere in the world it has its problems. Bear baiting should not still be one of them. The news reports claimed that bear hunters are partly responsible for this "sport" or "training regime".
This treatment of bears in still legal in the state of South Carolina. It appears that bear hunters are using "bear baying" as they call it to train their dogs to hunt bears. The bears have their teeth and claws removed before being chained to the spot.
Packs of dogs were seen in one video trying to attack the bear's legs so that it stood on its back legs. With no fangs, teeth or claws the bear is pretty defenceless. It must also be terrified. Of course a bear is a powerful creature and it will pack a mean punch. As the bear is tethered though its movements are limited.
The Humane Society of the United States of America has stepped in to fight for the bears. As their representative John Goodwin has said:-
'Bear baiting' events can have up to one hundred dogs attacking a defenseless bear. "One pack after another. The bear gets no relief, no break to get some water and this goes on to up to four hours."
The Humane Society report reads:
"A black bear cowers in the corner of a pen in rural South Carolina. She is tethered to a stake, surrounded by hundreds of onlookers. She is foaming at the mouth and popping her jaws, behavior that means she is terrified. Her captors have cut or removed her claws and many of her teeth, leaving her defenseless.
Three hounds run at the bear from one end of the arena, barking furiously. Some of them bite her face and legs. Others jump on her. She backs up on her hind legs, trying vainly to shield her face. The assault continues for four hours, as nearly 300 dogs attack her in quick succession. This spectacle is a bear baiting competition, called a "bear bay" by participants, and is practiced only in South Carolina. It is similar to the archaic blood sport of bear baiting."
I was saddened to read that although dog fighting is banned in the States the bears have no such protection. Permits to own bears for such events are issued by The Department of Natural Resources. These permits have been longstanding and it has been claimed that new permits will not be issued. Unless there is firm legislation against such practices though that statement offers no help to the bears involved.
Watch the videos and look at the images. Can this be acceptable behaviour? I think not. Make sure that if you agree you sign any petitions and lobby those in power."
You can sign a petition, to stop this cruel practice, here
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