Dunshee: End the blood sport of fox pens

OLYMPIA -- Torturing and killing animals isn't a sport, says Rep. Hans Dunshee (D-Snohomish), who's proposing a new law that would make it a crime to stage blood sports like fox pens.

 "I respect our local hunters, who are going after wild animals for meat," Dunshee said. "What I don't respect is sending a pack of dogs out to rip apart coyotes or foxes with the only goal being somebody's sick entertainment."

A loophole in Washington state law allows for canine-on-canine fighting. Coyotes and foxes are typically the victims of this blood sport, which can happen in the wild or in fox pens, where the victims are enclosed in fences and have no chance to escape.

Dunshee's proposed law, the Animal Cruelty Act of 2008 (House Bill 2547), would close that loophole and make it a crime similar to dog fighting.

"It's the law of the land that you can't throw two dogs in a ring to fight to the death," Dunshee said. "That was Michael Vick's crime. These animals are all canines. If they must be killed, people should do it humanely, not for the sick joy of watching cruelty.  We can't tolerate animals being ripped apart for someone's pleasure."

With fox pens, coyotes or foxes are put inside a fenced ranch, then hunted down and torn apart by hounds. The dogs are awarded points based on their performance, and top-performing dogs command extra money for breeding.

"This isn't a question about fox or coyote control," Dunshee said. "Say you're a farmer and foxes are killing your chickens -- you can shoot them or get a trap permit just like always. This law is aimed at people doing this for entertainment."

As of this writing, Dunshee's bill had thirteen lawmakers listed as co-sponsors. It is scheduled for a hearing 8 a.m. Friday, January 18, in the Judiciary Committee.