The practice of bear baiting in Pakistan is one of the worlds most savage blood sports and worst forms of cruelty to animals. Poached from the wild as cubs, the bears used in this industry know only fear, pain and abuse. Forced to fight from the time they are young, most have open and infected wounds and ripped ears and muzzles. When they arent fighting, they are held in small dirty cages that offer no protection from the sweltering sun and are fed measly scraps that leave them desperately malnourished and weak.
The majority of these bears, perhaps mercifully, do not live past the age of ten - half the life expectancy of bears in the wild.
But there is hope.
WSPA and our local partner organization, the Bioresource Research Center of Pakistan (BRC), have been working to bring an end to this cruel sport for over a decade. Tragically, our first bear sanctuary was destroyed in 2010 by severe flooding, but we have constructed a new sanctuary in Balkasar, Pakistan, which is already home to 7 rescued bears.
The Balkasar Sanctuary has room to provide a home to the remaining 70 bears who are still being forced to fight. BRCs dedicated teams have identified several of these bears, and we have a plan to rescue them and give them the care and relief they need...but we can't do it without your urgent assistance.
Please watch the video below to hear a special message from Fakhar-i-Abbas, BRCs dedicated founder, and to learn how you can help WSPA bring an end to bear baiting for good.
This video contains a few graphic images of bear baiting
With your support, we continue our vital work:
learn more about WSPA please visit our website
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AnimalActionUSA
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Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter
S. 201
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Lourie, Knotts, Rose, Hayes, O'Dell, Ryberg, Courson, Elliott, Massey, McConnell and Leventis
Document Path: l:\council\bills\dka\3142sd11.docx
Companion/Similar bill(s): 3678
Introduced in the Senate on January 11, 2011
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Fish, Game and Forestry
Summary: Animal Fighting and Baiting Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 16-27-80, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE EXEMPTIONS OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES FROM THE ANIMAL FIGHTING AND BAITING ACT, SO AS TO DELETE THE EXEMPTION OF "BEAR-BAYING"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 50-11-430, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO BEAR HUNTING AND UNLAWFUL ACTS IN REGARD TO BEARS INCLUDING A PROVISION THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO POSSESS A CAPTIVE BEAR EXCEPT BY PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A CAPTIVE BEAR FOR WHICH A PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED AND WHICH UPON INFORMATION AND BELIEF OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN OR IS BEING USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF "BEAR-BAYING" MUST BE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY BY THE DEPARTMENT, AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO PLACE THESE BEARS IN A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING ZOOS OR ANIMAL PARKS WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THIS STATE.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 16-27-80(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 345 of 2006, is further amended to read:
"(A) This chapter does not apply to dogs used for the purpose of hunting, including, but not limited to, hunting on shooting preserves or wildlife management areas authorized pursuant to Title 50, or to dogs used in field trials, including events more commonly known as 'water races', 'treeing contests', 'coon-on-a-log', 'bear-baying', or 'fox-pen-trials'. Such 'fox-pen-trials' must be approved by permit for field trials by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources."
SECTION 2. Section 50-11-430(D)(6) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 286 of 2010, is further amended to read:
"(6) possess a captive bear except pursuant to a permit issued by the department. A captive bear for which a permit has been issued and which upon information and belief of the department has been or is being used for the purpose of 'bear-baying' must be taken into custody by the department. The department shall make every effort to place these bears in a suitable environment, including zoos or animal parks within or outside this State. A violation of the terms of the permit may result in revocation or a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars, or both. An appeal must be made in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act;"
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on February 15, 2011 at 3:23 PM
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