Sign Petition To Ban Senseless Killing Of Coyotes & Other Animals During Wildlife Killing Contests In New York

At the Parlin Buck Club’s Fourth Annual 24-Hour Predator Killing Contest in Barnegat, New Jersey, participants pose in front of dead foxes hanging by their feet from a rack.  Photo by The HSUS

It’s unfathomable, but according to a new undercover video investigation released last week, there are still people in the United States who claim to find participating in barbaric wildlife killing contests “enjoyable.”

An investigator for the Humane Society of the United States visited contest locations in Macedon, New York, and Barnegat, New Jersey, and documented contest participants slinging the dead bodies of coyotes and foxes into piles, joking about the methods used to lure and kill the animals, and celebrating it at an award ceremony for the New York event.

In both competitions, participants vied for cash and prizes for killing the largest number of animals or the heaviest animals.

At the New York event, about 200 animals were brought in and piled up to be counted, weighed and displayed in front of spectators, including young children.

New York Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Senator Phil Boyle have introduced legislation that would end this wasteful and senseless practice.

“There is no place for inhumane and cruel wildlife killing contests in a civilized society. These activities are portrayed by some as entertainment, but they engender a heartless disrespect for humans’ relationship with nature and are disruptive to the ecosystem,” Assemblymember Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) said in a statement. “I thank the Humane Society of the United States for continuing to expose these killing contests as the cruel blood sport that they truly are. We must take meaningful action to end this senseless killing in New York and pass A.4116a/S.5148a immediately.”

“Our legislation would put an end to the unsportsmanlike killing of wildlife in these competitions in New York State. The participation in mass killings where the hunted have no fair chance is deeply disturbing, and hunters should be held to higher standards,” said Senator Phil Boyle (R-Bay Shore).

California, Colorado, and Maryland have passed laws or regulations in recent years to limit the types of wildlife killing contests that can be held in their states.

In March, the Albuquerque City Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning coyote killing contests and calling for a statewide ban throughout New Mexico.

Legislation to ban coyote killing contests, H.636, has passed the Vermont House of Representatives and now awaits a Senate floor vote.

Sadly, this is not the first time WAN has reported on wildlife killing contests, but it should be the last!

Please sign and share this petition urging lawmakers in New York to pass legislation that will make these cruel and senseless killing events illegal HERE!