Outlaw Bear Baiting in South Carolina
By Liz MellemTarget: South Carolina Governor, Nikki Haley
Goal: Outlaw bear baiting in South Carolina and find sanctuaries for the permitted bears.
Bear baiting is the inhumane “sport” that pits dogs against defenseless bears for the purpose of training and spectator amusement. This practice, which is only legal in South Carolina and Pakistan, is inhumane and cruel and must be outlawed. Please sign this petition and stop this state-sanctioned wildlife abuse.
In order to keep the bears from hurting the dogs, they are de-clawed, de-toothed, and chained. Often seen as a spectator sport, audiences assemble to watch any number of dogs continually attack the defenseless bear. In an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), they documented an “event” that drew hundreds of spectators for a four-hour show, where nearly 300 dogs attacked one bear in quick succession. Black bears are favored for baiting because of their shy nature and instinct to flee when threatened. According to the HSUS, “There are currently 26 captive black bears in South Carolina, many likely used for bear baiting.”
Bear baiting events are hosted by breed clubs associated with the American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources issues permits for the possession of the bears, but has not inspected bear baiting events or come to rescue of the bears. It is absolutely necessary that these permits be rescinded and South Carolina join the rest of the nation in outlawing this cruel and disgusting “sport”.
Please sign this petition and force Governor Haley to outlaw bear baiting and find sanctuary for the remaining permitted bears.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Governor Haley,
Bear baiting is an inhumane, cruel, and disgusting display of wildlife abuse that is only legal in your state of South Carolina and Pakistan. Pitting bears that have been stripped of all defense techniques against dogs for spectator “sport” or training purposes must be stopped. It is important that you act on this issue now in order to spare some of the 26 bears permitted for ownership with the intent of bear baiting.
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has attended some of these events to gather evidence of the obvious emotional and physical distress felt by the bears. One account paints a picture of the cruelty, “Three hounds run at the bear from one end of the arena, barking furiously. Some of them bit her [the bear] 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.” Bears used for bear baiting are de-clawed, de-toothed, and tethered so as not to hurt the dogs.
Bear baiting is an archaic display of animal cruelty that forces one to question the mindset of the spectators, supporters, and host state that would condone such brutality. Please outlaw bear baiting and join the rest of the nation in saying “no” to wildlife abuse. Please rescind bear ownership permits and find sanctuary for the now traumatized and defenseless bears.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Mr Emprey via flickr
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39 Comments
The fact that it’s legal and considered entertainment in Pakistan should be a huge clue of how inhumane this is. I’m shocked to read that this happens in the US. This is disgusting! Stop it now!
So, what are you going to do about this, Governor Haley?
Ditto Governor….great question! What ARE you going to do about it!????
Yes, Governor. And NO NEGOTIATING! No half-way measures. BAN this practice, and while you’re at it, ban trapping! So few of them raising hell when they can’t torture animals. THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE VEHEMENTLY AGAINST THESE THINGS!
Probably the most cruel thing anyone could do to animals I can think of…South Carolina should pass a bill preventing this act immediately!
Are we a third world country????? Are we China????? SHAME ON THIS IGNORANT STATE…stop this cruel and IGNORANT act we are better than that….i though that we had a conscience….DO YOU HAVE ONE GOVERNOR HALEY???????????
PLEASE, IN THE NAME OF LOVE: STOP THIS CRUELTY !!!!!
all i can say that we have more pet haters in the world… then ppl that loves them and i love for once to see 20 years jail for animal abuse
la souffrance des animaux est toujours suivie par celle des hommes.
Governor Haley must also be a depraved sociopath to allow this to take place in South Carolina. There’s no place for such depravity governor. If you are not willing to outlaw this bear baiting, move over for someone decent and with a brain to take over. You are obviously incapable.
Insulting the governor will not get the desired results.
GOSH don’t ppl have anything else to do in the life ? instead of setting a good example for younger generation this is what they do .. i am disappointed this happens in US .. and the most watched nation in the world ? and may be showing hidden civilized side of them .. SO DISAPPOINTING ..PLS STOP THIS . IMPOSE MAXIMUM PENALTY TO THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE AND SANCTION THIS KIND SICK ACT .. why don’t you tie one of your family member to see how its feel .. .
So sad to see that this horrible and evil animal cruelty still contienues! Please make it stop now!
Disgusting human behavior
in a modern society.. there are game reserves and protective compounds….. so why behave in this primitive manner?> free these poor creatures and let them live as they are meant to live manner.. animals have a nervous system and feelings just as humans do.. Humans need to respect all life.
oh my dear heavenly FATHER…HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED ANYWHERE…HOW TORTUROUS FOR THIS BEAR TO ENDURE THIS…WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE..NO DIGNITY..NO SHAME…NO COMPASSION…WHAT IS OUR WORLD COMING TOO…STOP THIS INSANITY PLEASE…WHY WOULD ANY PERSON IN THEIR RIGHT MIND ALLO
W THIS AND WANT TO SUBJECT ANY LIVING THING TO THIS…ITS BARBARIC…
THIS SO SICK, THE GOVERNOR NEEDS TO STOP THIS RIGHT NOW. DO YOU PEOPLE NOT HAVE ANY FEELINGS. I AM JUST SHOCK BY THIS, I WILL NEVER VISIT SOUTH CAROLINA AND TELL ALL MY FRIENDS TO NEVER GO THERE,STEP UP AND DO THE RIGHT THING. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES.
Kathy, I live in SC and just found out this crap is going on….I agree with you 100% and Haley WILL be hearing from me…and I don’t think she’s going to like what I have to say.
Governor your name will go down in history for all the wrong reasons. You children and grand children will hold it against you when it comes to light what exactly has been going on and your part in it.
This is sickening. To think it is still legal in the USA is mind boggling. Supposedly one of the most advanced and civilized countries in the world? The world is watching and judging.
Cannot believe this is happening particularly in the Western Hemisphere, it is shocking to say the least a stop this inhuman atrocity now!
The people that do this are walking around the streets with normal people? They are crazy and enjoy watching living things being tortured. This needs to stop!!!!
I work 24/7 as a wildlife rehabber taking care of South Carolina’s wildlife. We were told if an orphaned bear is turned in we must hand it over to the DNR….so let me understand this….WE can’t care for a bear BUT the STATE allows the barbaric torture of them??? Seriously? This is horrible and why is this allowed?
As a wildlife rehabber we are told if a baby bear is orphaned and turned into us WE must turn it over to the state…. So let me understand this…WE can’t help save one.. BUT THE STATE CAN ABUSE AND TORTURE ONE? DO I HAVE THIS RIGHT? Where is this making any sense and under what state laws? This is barbaric and cruel. No wonder others look at “US” as stupid rednecks when a state still allows such backwoods torture to happen. I pray I never see this because I will NOT be responsible for my actions….and whatever the punishment will be MORE THAN WORTH IT!!! So what is this state going to do about this??
South Carolina, we who care about animal cruelty will make you the laughingstock of the nation with endless publicity until you stop this barbaric practice.
Someone stated if we are not a resident of SC, it’s none of our business. Abuse and cruelty is everybody’s business. We should all be involved in putting a stop to such atrocities, everywhere.
You are correct. It takes a HUGE effort to stop animal abuse. As a SC concerned resident I urge all look up the details of the SC law that helps this to happen. Info is online if you search. Being fully informed makes any letter writing to official be more realistic. There are details to the laws that causes this to happen. Just saying there is more than writing a comment. Get fully informed and then we can protest more intelligently. Thank you all for trying to help.
Absolutely disturbing!! I had no idea this was happening in our Country! We are bettet than this!!!!We need to ban together and fight this
I’m ashamed of my species – as if what we do to many scores of billions of animals in factory-”farms” isn’t bad enough, thousands of inbred, white-trash rednecks like these enjoy watching beautiful, innocent animals tortured to death – for “sport.” Spay and neuter these low-life human scumbags so they don’t breed more animal-abusing white trash into this human-littered world.
I am not a US citizen. I reside in the US. I know that the USA is better than this. Cruelty is very disturbing in any form.
I have lived in SC for 5 years during our military years. I had no idea this was going on, it is totally disgusting and appalling. Poor bears going through unbelievable cruelty. I’m Dutch and I was astounded that practices like dogfights, roosterfights are fairly common. Barbaric….
Governor Haley,
Please! Please, do not take any step back on going forward with great stance and courage with strength of the powers of your resources, to hault this barbaric behaviour at once, and for all. Please do, take into account, the statistics that, those who harm animals are seven times more likely to harm a human being, and those who kill animals are seven times more likely to kill a human being. Please also take into account, the hoarding of animals killing for sport, is an international issue, whereas our planet is in dire need of providing protection for all wild animals, and insects, even if, for our very own survival… for, it is also documented that scientists anticipate that our earth will be completely extinct of land animals within the next fifty years; I add to that, unless a miracle happens. Please, Governor Haley, be a miracle hero to every animal and insect to be granted thier rights to safety and comfort and long life, to breed securely in their own habitat. I thank you, in advance, for saving these beautiful, soulful, innocent and needed, animals. Sincerely, Kathleen Brown.
DISGUSTING YOU PEOPLE HURTING AND CHSING A DEFENSELESS BEAR DO THAT TO YOU SEE HOW YOU WOULD LIKE IT
STOP this horrific practice. It is illegal in every “civilized” country except Pakistan and the United States of America. What example does our country set for the world?
This is so mean. Save bears please
c’est monstrueux de voir t’en de souffrance en ver les animaux sauvage !! ce n’ai pas un sport c’est du massacre, j’ai honte de faire partie de la race humaine ! je dit stopppppppppp il faux arrêté sa toute suite
These helpless Animals do not do these sorts of things to us Human beings. Where is the sense of civility in us? We have to ponder a while and see who is the animal here!
What an inhumane act of cruelty to God’s creatures–society will be judged by the way it treats animals.
I was born and raised in SC and am so very embarrassed that there are people in that state who think this kind of barbaric activity is even remotely OK. Shame, shame on SC!! Become civilized, people!!!
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