I don't necessarily have a problem with hunting if the animal is killed quickly and humanely, but that rarely happens. Even Fish and Game talks about the high percentage of animals shot and wounded but never found by the person who shot it. Some government statistics say up to 50% of animals shot are never found... How much suffering does this animal go through before finally dying?
And when you bring dogs into the mix, animals are chased, mauled and ripped apart by these dogs. That is inhumane and cruel. So which is worse? The hunting dog shot and killed or the raccoon or pig which is mauled to death by these dogs? I don't know. Therefore, I'm going to post this article.
NORTH CAROLINA -- Another hunting dog was reportedly found shot to death last week in Eastern North Carolina.
Eastern Carolina Houndsmen Alliance posted a photo of a post written on Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m.
“Today my husband found one of his hunting dogs shot twice and killed,” the post read. “He was found around the duck impoundment by Catfish Lake. All hunters be on the look out for a dog killer in that area. What was the purpose?”
The original poster did not reply to a Daily News' request for comment.
Sheriff Danny Heath in Jones County said there is not an official investigation at this time. He heard about the shooting second-hand, but the owners have not made an official request.
Social media, Heath said, has made more people aware of hunting dog deaths, but people have been shooting and poisoning dogs for years.
“In past years we’ve had quite a few,” Heath said of hunting dog deaths.
To prevent further deaths, Heath said people need to “know the laws of your area.” People move here from all across the country, but Heath said “those laws don’t apply here.” He added that he doesn’t know of any state that allows dog killings. Dogs running deer off and being on private property are two of the biggest reasons hunting dogs are killed.
Some people, Heath continued, believe that if a dog is on their property, they have the right to kill it, which is incorrect. If people knew the statutes for North Carolina, Heath believes they would be more likely to follow them.
The North Carolina General Statutes state that the definition of a dangerous dog does not apply to a dog being used in a lawful hunt. Hunting with dogs is allowed in eastern North Carolina, according to NC Wildlife. A dog may be killed, however, if the dog is killing other livestock.
Todd Lyman, the public information officer for Onslow County, said residents who find a wounded hunting dog that appears to have been shot should call 9-1-1. For a dog that has been shot and killed, residents should call the non-emergency number for law enforcement. Officers will determine the correct agencies to involve and how to handle the situation.
“It will be properly investigated,” Lyman said.
This is at least the second Jones County hunting dog shooting incident in as many months. On Nov. 16, Marine Cpl. Jeremy Ryan Edge, 22, of Jacksonville, was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing two hunting dogs. He was charged with two counts each of felony cruelty to animals, misdemeanor larceny and misdemeanor removal of an electronic tracking collar, according to a Jones County Sheriff’s Office news release.
The Houndsmen Alliance offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for shooting the hunting dog last week, according to a post on its Facebook page. Representatives of the group did not reply to a message left by The Daily News for comment.
“People need to be aware it’s somebody’s property,” Heath said. “You really don’t need to be messing with it.”
(JD News - Jan 10, 2016)
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