More than 40 veterinary professionals from Colorado are asking voters to stand up for the humane treatment of wildlife and reject Amendment 83. In a letter organized by Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance, the veterinary division of Humane World for Animals (formerly called Humane Society of the United States), they write of the need to maintain voter-approved state laws that ban inhumane wildlife killing methods:
“Amendment 83 is framed as an amendment to our constitution to establish the ‘right to hunt and fish.’ In reality, it adds intentionally vague and undefined language—including a constitutional protection to kill wildlife using ‘traditional methods.’ That could give opponents of animal protection laws a new way to challenge important safeguards that Colorado voters have already approved. The phrase ‘traditional methods’ has been used by proponents of similar initiatives as a way to protect cruel and unpopular practices, like trapping, chasing wildlife with packs of dogs (hounding), or luring wildlife with food (baiting) for an easier kill.
“As veterinary professionals, we treat non-target wildlife injured or maimed by traps and counsel grieving families whose companion animals were injured or killed by methods meant for wildlife. Expanding the legal footing for these practices is a step backwards for animal welfare in our state. Sound, science-based wildlife management requires flexibility to use the most humane and effective tool available for a given situation; a constitutional mandate that elevates one method as ‘preferred’ removes exactly the kind of professional judgment and adaptability that best serves animal welfare.”
Read the full letter signed by more than 40 veterinary professionals.
