Important Update on Virginia Animal Issues
Black Bear Hunt Ends With No Kills
Good news for bears: the black bear hunt didn't go as planned last week.
After losing a hard-fought court battle, the first ever black bear hunt in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in Suffolk, Virginia went ahead. But, fortunately for the bears, the two-day hunt ended without a single bear being killed. A few hunters reported seeing bears, but were not close enough to shoot them. High water in the swamp and muddy conditions slowed hunters down and made bears more difficult to track.
While the efforts of IDA, the Animal Welfare Institute, and the American Environment Foundation did not stop the hunt, we are glad that no bears were hurt. At the very least, the controversy drew unprecedented attention to the issue, so more people are aware now that unnecessary bear hunts are taking place in the Refuge in the name of "recreation." When people learn that such hunts are conducted not to protect the public or "manage" bear populations but to give hunters more trophy animals to shoot, they reject them.
Thank you to everyone who came to the courthouse on a moment's notice and to those who called, wrote, and emailed. Please help us make this the last black bear hunt to take place in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
- Join our coalition. Email info@vabear.org to sign up to receive regular updates and action alerts.
- Write a letter to the editor of the Virginian-Pilot voicing your objection to the bear hunt. Send letters via on-line form to letters@pilotonline.com.
Or send your letter by fax to (757) 446-2051.
Or send your hardcopy letter to:
Letters to the Editor
P.O. Box 449
Norfolk, VA
23501-0449
Dogs Get Their Day in
Norfolk
City Council Passes
Legislation to Help Chained Dogs
On November 21, the City Council unanimously approved an ordinance to make it illegal to chain a dog for more than three consecutive hours. The ordinance took effect immediately. To report violations of the new law, you can call the Norfolk Animal Management Center at 664-7387.
Thank you to everyone who called and wrote in support of this important legislation.
Please take a moment to thank the councilors:
The Honorable Paul D. Fraim, Mayor
Paul R. Riddick, Vice
Mayor
Anthony L. Burfoot
Theresa W. Whibley
Barclay C.
Winn
Daun S. Hester
Donald L. Williams
W. Randy
Wright
Norfolk City Council
1006 City Hall Bldg.
810 Union
St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
