THE RSPCA says recreational pig hunting is cruel and cannot be justified in any circumstances.
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“Although some hunters may have the skills, knowledge and motivation to minimise the suffering of their prey, many do not,” NSW RSPCA chief executive officer Steve Coleman said.
Recreational hunting is on the increase in the central west with many hunters heading out at weekends with their dogs to hunt feral animals.
“These animals are sometimes hunted to the point of exhaustion and then killed with methods that do not cause a quick and painless death,” Mr Coleman said.
The RSPCA maintains that feral animals are at the mercy of inexperienced hunters who are not always able to bring the animal down with a single shot to the head or the heart.
“The pig is hunted with dogs to the point of exhaustion and if hunters plan to stick [stab] the dog rather than shoot it, dogs are used to hold or ‘lug’ the pig by the ears while it is being stabbed,” Mr Coleman said.
He said regulations surrounding hunting varied from state to state, but in NSW, lone hunters were allowed to use a maximum of three dogs, with groups of hunters allowed to use up to five dogs.
The RSPCA says the practice of using dogs to hold the pig is not only extremely cruel, but can cause injuries to the dogs, while stabbing the pig causes a prolonged, painful and distressing death.
Recreational hunters strongly defend their sport, saying they minimise distress to the pigs and protect their dogs with breastplates, however the RSPCA said evidence on the internet and in hunting magazines revealed the true nature of pig hunting.
In yesterday’s Central Western Daily two veterinarians said injured hunting dogs brought to their surgeries belonged to responsible and caring owners.
However, the RSPCA says this is not a true indication of the number of dogs injured, with some irresponsible owners not seeking treatment for their injured dogs.
“The number of dogs who are taken to a veterinary surgeon represents only a proportion of dogs who are actually injured,” Mr Coleman said.
He claims recreational pig hunting has no significant effect in reducing the agricultural or environmental impacts of feral animals and results in unnecessary suffering for pigs and injured dogs.
Mr Coleman urges people to contact their local member of parliament to voice their objections to recreational hunting.
janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au