This week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is having their meeting that will be held over two days in Crystal River on February 8-9. This meeting is on rules changes. One important change will be the use of dogs in the hunt for small animals on Florida owned land. Right now, anyone who wishes to hunt on private land with a dog must gain permission from the landowner. On private land, hunters may use free running dogs throughout the year to chase rabbit, raccoon, opossum, skunk, nutria, beaver, coyote, hog, fox and bobcat.
While Florida still allows dog-hunting throughout much of the state, even the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) has had to bend to the will of dog-hunting opponents in recent years. The culture is changing as to what people feel is ethical and that's why the public will be at this meeting to speak against dog hunting.
Drew Martin will be attending the Thursday meeting to speak against the use of dogs because he believes that the expanded use of hunting dogs is detrimental to human and wildlife safety.
Dog hunting is not sport; it is murder. The animal has no chance to survive a pack of dogs to then be terrorized and killed by a hunter who loves the thrill of blood.
