This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Anti-Bullying Bill Says Stop Hounding the Bears
Bullying knows no bounds, and it happens in the animal kingdom too as we witnessed last month when a wayward dolphin in Bolsa Chica was forced back into the shallow waters by her jerk pod mates.
Now bears and bobcats are under attack from sport hunters who use dogs to taunt and chase the wild animals until they are worn out and trapped. The hunters kick back until a sensor on a dog collar notifies them that it's safe to hunt.
Dogs are considered bully victims, too. They're sprayed with a bear attractant and then sent after the dangerous animals in a practice known as "hounding." The dogs are often hurt and then left at shelters, dehydrated and malnourished, when they are no longer of use to the hunters, according to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Madeline Bernstein, president of the spcaLA sent a letter today asking individuals to contact their representatives and urge them to pass anti-bullying bill SB 1221 that would prohibit "hounding."