While hunters often claim to “respect” animals, a recent article in the Suffolk News-Herald reported on the influx of beagles that animal shelters are dealing with as a result of negligent or careless hunters who fail to properly care for their dogs.

The situation prompted one Suffolk animal control officer to say “I think if we can make the hunters more responsible, we’ll be in good shape.”

Given that this is a scene that is repeated in nearly every part of the country this time of year, there is nothing to indicate that hunters will ever become more responsible.

Hunters are generally unmoved by the sight of suffering and dying animals, because it is an unavoidable part of the sport. Given this truth, it is not surprising that some will dump their dogs at the local animal shelter (or worse, in the woods to fend for themselves), once their usefulness has expired.

After years of giving unconditional love, these animals are abandoned by heartless hunters who are not mature enough to understand that once you give a home to an animal that animal should be cared for as a member of the family. Sadly, as long as there is hunting, there will be cruel people who pursue the sport.

Sport hunting is on the decline as hunters die or drop out of the sport faster than they can be replaced. Within a few generations, the problem of abandoned hunting dogs will be solved, as sport hunting withers into extinction, where it belongs.

To learn what you can do to end the tragedy of abandoned hunting dogs by hastening the demise of sport hunting, visit www.AbolishSportHunting.com.