HB 695 prohibiting fox and coyote penning; providing a penalty

POSITION: OPPOSE

BILL HAS BEEN TABLED

Summary of bill and status

Introduced by Delegate Kenneth Plum (D, 36) and Delgate David Englin (D, 45)

Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to erect or maintain an enclosure for the purpose of pursuing, hunting, or killing or attempting to pursue, hunt, or kill a fox or coyote with dogs. It is also a Class 1 misdemeanor to pursue, hunt, or kill or attempt to pursue, hunt, or kill a fox or coyote within such an enclosure with dogs.

Training preserves are already regulated under Virginia law. Enclosures must be a minimum of 100 acres and contain a dog-proof escape area (natural or artificial) every 20 acres. Only Live-trapped wild foxes may be released in the preserves and foxes may not be imported from out of state.

HSUS and their animal rightist friends would have you believe these preserves are used for a blood sport that is a cross between a canned hunt and dog fighting where foxes are tossed to dogs to be ripped apart. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Any form of hunting is opposed by animal rightists. Prohibiting training of dogs on foxes in an enclosed area is just a small step away from prohibiting sportsmen from training dogs on rabbits or birds.

Virginia has a long, proud history of hunting with dogs. Training enhances the dog's natural abilities for hunting, chasing game. An enclosure allows individuals to train dogs to chase coyotes or foxes in a controlled situation that protects the dogs from being hit by a vehicle and keeps them from trespassing onto other property. It is actually unusual for one of the dogs to catch and kill a fox. It isn't in the best interest of the preserve owner to have the fox killed rather than provide a chase for the dogs. Other than the days when training trials are being held the fox has a large preserve to quietly roam and hunt in.

Committee contact information:

Delegate Daniel W. Marshall, III Chairman Phone: (804) 698-1014 Email: DelDMarshall@house.virginia.gov			Delegate Robert D. Orrock, Sr. Phone: (804) 698-1054 Email: DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Charles D. Poindexter Phone: (804) 698-1009 Email: DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov			Delegate Barry D. Knight Phone: (804) 698-1081 Email: DelBKnight@house.virginia.gov
Delegate James W. Morefield Phone: (804) 698-1003 Email: DelJMorefield@house.virginia.gov			Delegate Matthew James Phone: (804) 698-1080 Email: DelMJames@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Mark Sickles Phone: (804) 698-1043 Email: DelMSickles@house.virginia.gov

Companion bill SB 202

Bill Summary and Status

Introduced by Senator David Marsden (D, 37); House patrons Delegates David Englin (D, 45) and Kaye Kory (D, 38) and referred to Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources.

Senate Committee contact sheet

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