Loopholes in Indiana regulations still allow what some call "live bait dog training", meaning coyotes and red foxes are used as bait to train dogs to hunt, though in many cases, it is considered a "sport" where hunters place bets and prizes are awarded. What is the sport or mode of "training? The wildlife are trapped in "running pens" and literally torn apart by packs of dogs hyped up on steroids and B12 vitamins.

There is no prize for a dog that doesn't perform. Instead, they may be beaten, strangled, hanged, or drowned.

We have worked to make animal fighting serious crimes.  The use of trapped animals as bait to train hunting dogs should be no different. It should at least be illegal.

The state Natural Resources Commission will next meet on March 16, 2010, at 10:00 a.m., EST (9:00 a.m., CST), at the Fort Harrison State Park Inn, 5830 North Post Road, the Roosevelt Room, Indianapolis, Indiana. The NRC is expected to consider petitions to prohibit use of fox and coyote running enclosures during the hunting and trapping seasons to train hunting dogs and also ban the use of dogs to track, chase, injure, kill, or take coyotes or foxes.  

Under the current regulations, dogs can be used to hunt wild animals. 312 IAC 8-2-3, 312 IAC 9-2-9,312 IAC 9-3-14.5  Foxes and coyotes can be live trapped and kept during hunting seasons and also on private land at any time. 312 IAC 9-3-12. These animals are also exempt from restrictions on taking exotic mammals, meaning they can be used in canned hunts or otherwise hunted including with dogs. 312 IAC 9-3-18.5 

Other Indiana regulations allow foxes and coyotes to be bred or kept under certain restrictions. 312 IAC 9-11-7, 312 IAC 9-11-13,   312 IAC 9-10-4

Typically, the foxes and coyotes are trapped and then sold to "penning facilities" where hunters take their dogs and pay a fee for hunting training. The dogs are basically turned loose  on a trapped fox or coyote. 

The Dept. of Natural Resources position? As stated in the fall, 2009: "The DNR believes that dogs should continue to be allowed to hunt coyotes and foxes in Indiana. ...Coyotes continue to move into suburban and urban neighborhoods where they cause conflicts with humans. Hunters need to be able to continue to hunt with as many tools as possible, while still maintaining fair chase." DNR does not explain how this horrific cruelty is "fair chase".

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Plan to attend the March 16 meeting at 10:00 a.m., EST (9:00 a.m., CST), at the Fort Harrison State Park Inn, 5830 North Post Road, the Roosevelt Room, Indianapolis, Indiana and bring 5 family members or friends!

If you live in Indiana, send comments to Natural Resources Commission officials below and  Gov. Mitch Daniels. Your comments must include your address. Urge them (politely!) to stop the use of dogs to chase, injure and kill wild animals and to ban fox and coyote running enclosures used to train hunting dogs.  

Email Jennifer Kane jkane@nrc.in.gov 

Email Sandra Jensen sjensen@nrc.in.gov 

Email or call Governor Mitch Daniels mdaniels@gov.in.gov  telephone 1-317-232-4567

You may also write the Governor at:

Office of Governor Mitch Daniels

200 W. Washington St #206

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2731

Send this link to residents of Indiana who can help!