Ban the cruel den hunting in Sweden now!
Den hunting is a particularly cruel form of hunting for foxes and badgers. In a den hunt, a specially trained dog is dropped into the den where the hunted animal tries to hide and seek shelter. The Hunting Critics association of Sweden is now collecting signatures against den hunting to be forwarded to the Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs. The goal is a total ban on den hunting in Sweden. We are aiming for 30,000 signatures.
In den hunting, the hunted animals are severely stressed and can even be seriously injured by the dog before it is killed by the hunter. The hunt also puts the dog in danger. The Norwegian Council for Animal Husbandry believes that den hunting with dogs involves prolonged stress for the hunted animal and that there is a risk of injury to both the hunted animal and the dog. The Swedish Veterinary Association has also stated that den hunting should be banned.
Den hunting has been questioned on several occasions in the Swedish Parliament:
In 2007, Birgitta Ohlsson introduced a motion for a total ban on den hunting. Her justification reads:
“The Swedish Veterinary Association has condemned this cruel pastime and they are opposed in principle to an activity where two animals are turned against each other and believe that this activity is not compatible with the Animal Welfare Act. Occasionally, participating dogs are also injured. The Swedish Board of Agriculture has expressed its disapproval as well. Sectors of the hunting community is also opposed to den hunting. This form of animal cruelty should be banned.”
For more information see the Hunting Critics website: https://jaktkritikerna.se/inte-ens-fredad-i-sitt-hem-grytjakt/
The Hunting Critics consider that there is no doubt that den hunting is contrary to section 27 of the Hunting Act: “Hunting shall be conducted in such a way that the game is not subjected to unnecessary suffering” The Hunting Critics demand that a ban on den hunting be introduced immediately.
The Hunting Critics Association