South Carolina US: Bear baiting in the 21st Century


I have written a fair amount online regarding animal welfare and animal cruelty. It has mainly been aboutdogs in the UK and animal issues inChina. I know that sadly crimes against animals are far too prevalent in all countries around the world. However, 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.
Associated Press image
Associated Press image

BEAR CRUELTY AROUND THE WORLD

The news reports claimed thatbear hunters are partially 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.
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WARNING: Baiting Deer Is Illegal - 11" x 11" Yellow Sign
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Baiting on the Bear
Baiting on the Bear
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1901 BEIRA RHODESIA BEAR BAITING BULL LONDON AMUSEMENTS
1901 BEIRA RHODESIA BEAR BAITING BULL LONDON AMUSEMENTS
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