Template text: Ban on den hunting in the canton

1. Motion

The cantonal government is instructed to submit a proposal to completely and unconditionally ban den hunting in canton (...). In particular, it must be ensured that

• the deployment of dogs in underground dens of wild animals (fox, badger, marten dens) for hunting purposes is prohibited
• the digging up of wild animal dens for hunting purposes is prohibited
• the training and testing of dogs on living wild animals in artificial dens («slieferanlagen») is prohibited as a violation of the Animal Welfare Act (Art. 16)
• violations are prosecuted as serious hunting offences resulting in revocation of hunting licenses and animal keeping bans

2. Brief justification

Den hunting is one of the most cruel hunting methods. Earth dogs are sent into underground dens where fights with fox or badger are inevitable. According to two Swiss expert opinions, den hunting constitutes animal cruelty in both legal and behavioral terms. The canton of Thurgau has already banned den hunting. The Animal Welfare Act, Art. 16, prohibits setting dogs on other animals – in the practice of earth dog training exactly this is systematically practiced.

• Dossier Den hunting
• Dossier Hunting Dogs