2/23/04
Dear Rapid City Journal:
Re: “Dog’s death may prompt warning” (2/21/04), Booper died in a trap in an area that “produces” live targets for hunters. Game, Fish & Parks Dept.’s concern is that dogs “bother wildlife” (i.e. chase animals away from hunters), when it is hunters who “bother” wildlife to death.
Mike Kintigh admits, “protecting pets will be secondary to protecting [sic] wildlife and providing outdoor recreation. mainly hunting and trapping.”
Trapping might be suspended during winter – a “temporary refuge,” allowing hunting with dogs. Dogs will be protected only when they are used to kill other animals. Some refuge.
Hunter Jeff Olson states hunters paid for the facility, entitling them to their depraved fun and too bad if the public doesn’t like it, demonstrating where funds that hunters claim go to improve the environment really go.
Kintigh says trapping is needed to control predators. Predators are trapped because trappers enjoy or profit from it and because they consider predators competition.
He states, “We’re trying to manage for specific purposes.” When you hear that deer must be killed because there are too many of them, remember that more deer are purposely bred for hunters.
Go to www.all-creatures.org/cash to learn more about destructive wildlife management practices.
Susan Gordon, Representative
The Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting
Box 562
New Paltz, NY 12561