Two animal rights groups are taking the Ontario government to court in an attempt to stop a spring bear hunt pilot program before it begins, alleging it amounts to animal cruelty.
Animal Alliance of Canada and Zoocheck Canada say mother bears will be killed during the hunt, leaving their orphaned cubs to starve or be killed by predators.
“The babies at this time are very small,” said Julie Woodyer of Zoocheck Canada.
“This is the only large game species that are hunted when the young are still dependent on their mothers and it is inevitable that cubs will be orphaned.”
The animal rights groups have filed an application for judicial review and a notice of constitutional question, which are set to be heard in court on April 29, just days before the start of the program. They hope the court will at least delay the start of the hunt until it can rule on their legal actions.
The regulation would be contrary to animal cruelty laws in the Criminal Code, said the groups’ lawyer, David Estrin.
Allison Jones – Canadian Press – April 17, 2014.
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