Niche dog sport divided Doug Ford’s caucus

An obscure dog sport in Ontario has sparked division within Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative caucus, leading to a rollercoaster of decisions regarding its expansion. This dog sport involves hunters unleashing dogs in fenced-in areas to hunt down prey such as coyotes, foxes, and rabbits. The provincial government has insisted that these areas are safe for both dogs and wildlife.

The sport had been declining for decades, with former premier Mike Harris’s government phasing it out in 1997 by stopping the issuance of licenses needed to operate these areas. However, a lobbying campaign from some hunters led to the proposal of an expansion last year, allowing for a one-time license application period and the transfer of licenses to new owners.

The expansion plans faced backlash from former conservation officers who raised concerns about animal cruelty and the difficulty of enforcing regulations. Rick Maw and Wayne Lintack shared their experiences investigating these areas and uncovered problems such as illegal catching and warehousing of coyotes for use as prey.

After news of the expansion plans surfaced, Progressive Conservatives within the caucus were divided on the issue. Advocacy organization Animal Justice released a video showing dogs chasing a coyote in one of these areas, further fueling concerns about animal cruelty.

Backbenchers Christine Hogarth and Jess Dixon led the charge against the expansion, citing animal welfare concerns. This led to Premier Doug Ford and Natural Resources Minister Graydon Smith initially deciding to cancel the expansion plans.

However, pressure from hunters, who feared the loss of the sport, prompted Ford to reverse course and resurrect the expansion plans. The government emphasized that these facilities are safe and adhere to strict standards to protect both dogs and wildlife.

While the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters welcomed the government’s decision to move forward with the expansion, Animal Justice filed a legal challenge alleging harm to Ontario’s wildlife.

The province is currently accepting applications for train and trial licenses, with approvals expected in the new year. The controversy surrounding this dog sport highlights the challenges of balancing tradition, animal welfare, and environmental concerns in policy-making.