Sample text: Protection of hunting dogs and ban on hunting in burrows
1. Motion
The government council is instructed to submit a proposal to the cantonal parliament that will significantly strengthen the protection of dogs used for recreational hunting in the canton of (...). The revision must, in particular, ensure that
- The use of dogs in hunting in burrows is prohibited, as this form of hunting systematically puts dogs in situations where serious bite injuries, risk of suffocation and psychological trauma are unavoidable.
- A mandatory reporting requirement is introduced for all injuries suffered by dogs while working in recreational hunting.
- The cantonal veterinary office publishes an annual public report on reported hunting dog injuries.
- Dogs used for recreational hunting must undergo an independent veterinary examination at least once a year.
In particular, it must be legally regulated that
- The training of dogs on live wild animals (aggressive training) is expressly considered a violation of the Animal Welfare Act (TSchG Art. 16).
- Hobby hunters who repeatedly expose dogs to injuries during hunts may be banned from keeping hunting dogs.
- Minimum standards for the keeping, transport and rest periods of hunting dogs will be made mandatory.
- The use of dogs in driven hunts is limited to a maximum of one hour per day of operation.
2. Brief explanation
Hunting dogs are among the forgotten victims of recreational hunting. During burrow hunting , they are sent into narrow, dark earthen dens where they encounter formidable wild animals. Severe bite injuries are practically inevitable. Even publications dedicated to recreational hunting openly recommend carrying a "complete arsenal of emergency first-aid supplies."
The Animal Welfare Act prohibits setting dogs on other animals or training them to be aggressive on live animals (Animal Welfare Act Art. 16). In practice, this is precisely what is systematically practiced in burrow hunting. There is no systematic record of injuries.
The present motion calls for a ban on hunting dogs in burrows, a reporting requirement, and binding standards for keeping dogs.