Animal advocates and lawmakers in New York are working to make sure barbaric wildlife killing contests like Palenville's Crow Down and Holley's Squirrel Slam never take place again.
Opponents continue to raise concerns over the cruelty inherent in these contests and the dangerous, indifferent, attitudes they promote towards wildlife – especially when it comes to what they teach children about the species we share our landscapes with.
Species who are considered pests are often targeted in these contests, but the so-called hunters who continue to support them are completely ignoring not just the role their targets play in the environment, but their inherent value.
It's been long known that crows are highly intelligent and social animals who form lifelong pair bonds and live in tight-knit family groups that stay together for years, while squirrels perform a variety of tasks that help forests in their daily lives.
While there might not be anything that can legally be done to stop the upcoming Crow Down, there is hope that contests in New York, will become a thing of the past.
Animal advocates and lawmakers are supporting legislation that will make it illegal for “any person to organize, conduct, promote or participate in any contest or competition where the objective of such contest or competition is to take the greatest number of wildlife.”
Please sign the petition urging New York lawmakers to support and co-sponsor this vital piece of legislation for wildlife.
As someone who is concerned with animal welfare and wildlife issues, I was horrified to learn that wildlife killing contests legally taking place in New York.
It's clear that these contests aren't about about hunting, hunters rights, wildlife management or dealing with species who are considered pests, but about glorifying killing for fun and personal gain, which is something even many hunters continue to stand against. As concerning is the dangerous attitude towards life and animals that these contests are instilling in the next generation.
Senator Jack Martins has introduced a bill (S.4074) that will make it illegal for “any person to organize, conduct, promote or participate in any contest or competition where the objective of such contest or competition is to take the greatest number of wildlife.”
I sincerely hope you will stand up for wildlife and make this contests a thing of the past by supporting and co-sponsoring SB 4074, and its companion bill AB 03661.
