Quote Originally Posted by slartibartfast View Post
The key word there is "sport". I repeat, I have no problem with the legitimate use of a dog as a hunting partner.

I see absolutely no need for a sport where a hog who has already undergone capture once is then turned loose in a confined area to be attacked by dogs for the amusement of the audience. You've already admitted they suffer. What's humane about intentionally putting them through it?

And FYI, I feed live and I hunt. I just don't shoot fish in a barrel.

That is understandable and a good argument. The capture of the hogs and the use of them in competition is debatable but regulations support the hog only be used once for the safety of all animals involved. This is because not only would it be cruel to the hog to be caught multiple times but it would be dangerous for the dogs to be against a hog that knew all the tricks.

Also, the dogs must be trained to properly catch and this does involve the use of hogs - if the dogs are not properly trained then it will be a sad and horrible sight if the dogs are ever taken out on a real hunt.

The reason that the dogs are not put against hogs in a real hunting situation is that their are too many variables. Finding the hogs, having a hog the right size for the dog, and being able to control the sitaution to prevent the injury of either animal.

It is a sport because there are titles - it is a competition, it is not strictly for the amusement of those that attend. The purpose is to control the situation and determine what dogs are the best and safest, most effective to use in a real hunt.

I won't say that it is always like this, I am sure that as with any other sport with animals there is abuse involved and I do not condone that in any way.