You, and your dog, can help ban fox pens in Virginia

Today's guest blogger is Laura Donahue, Virginia State Director for the Humane Society of the United States.

Say the words “animal fighting” and many know exactly what we’re talking about, but say the words “fox penning” and most will be shocked that this cruel activity is right in our backyard.

Fox penning, the releasing of dogs inside fenced enclosures to chase down – and often rip apart – captive foxes, happens right here in Virginia.  It’s terribly inhumane to the animals and dangerously risky for surrounding wildlife.  Food stations attract wildlife, including bears, into the electric-fenced pens where they become trapped and risk being mauled by dogs. Devastating diseases like rabies have been directly linked to fox pens.  On top of all that, dogs are often run to the point of exhaustion and those that don’t perform well are often dumped on shelters or left in the woods.

The bottom line is this: animal cruelty does not belong in the Commonwealth, and you and your dog can help put an end to it.  Upload a photo of your dog with a sign asking Governor McDonnell to ban fox pens in Virginia - like the one of Roscoe, pictured.  Be sure to include what city your pup is from.  You can submit your photo here: http://bit.ly/VADogs or email it to virginia@humanesociety.org. View fellow canines here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/humanesociety/tags/vafoxpen/.

With your help, we can send Governor McDonnell the clear message that fox pens do not belong in Virginia.

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Comments

[Lee Anne Holdren]

Dog-fighting is (thankfully) abhorred by most citizens, thanks to the spotlight thrown on this unspeakable activity in our state during the past few years. Consequently, I fail to understand why' fox-penning' is allowed to exist freely in Virginia, and is even championed by some people. Is this because wealthy white people do it? Because otherwise, the similarities between the two pursuits are pretty obvious.