We demand STOP to the cruel tradition of hound hunting in Vermont!

Residents and wildlife are at risk from hound hunting in Vermont. Despite modern technology, traditional hound hunting is still a barbaric practice putting the rights of wildlife and residents of Vermont at risk.

Vermont is home to packs of GPS-tagged hounds unleashed by hound hunters. It is not uncommon for these hounds to roam far across property lines, disrupting habitats and ignoring property boundaries. Hounds chase wild animals for miles until they collapse, retreat up a tree, or decide to stand their ground. Unfortunately, there are often very few tracking devices available to hunters for their handheld devices that allow them to know precisely where their dogs are. Consequently, wildlife, hounds, and innocent bystanders (both human and animal) are at risk. 

The practice of hound hunting is commonly practiced on wildlife refuges, private lands, and public lands and often occurs outside of the traditional hunting season when done for "training" purposes. Hound hunting in Vermont should be ended because it is unnecessary and cruel. 

We encourage Governor Phil Scott, the Vermont General Assembly, and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter to take personal responsibility and change Vermont's laws dealing with this needlessly cruel and destructive practice.