‘Gruesome conditions’: Activists urge Ontario to ban applications for new trial pens

Animal organizations are calling for a ban on Ontario's decision to accept new applications for train and trial pens where hunting dogs pit and chase wildlife.

Ontario has recently made the decision to open up new applications for train and trial pens, which animal activists are calling a controversial practice that pits trained hunting dogs against wildlife such as coyotes, foxes and hares.

The Ford government opened the application window for new train and trial pens on Oct. 1, allowing individuals from both Canada and the U.S to apply until Dec. 29, 2024.

While the train and trial pens are banned in all other provinces and most states south of the border, Premier Doug Ford’s government has decided to keep the practice legal in Ontario, inviting individuals to apply during the 90-day period.

While the application process lists strict regulations, animal welfare groups argue that the “blood sport” remains largely unregulated, with serious gaps between what’s on paper and what happens in the wild lands.

“These animals are confined to pens where they are chased, over and over again until they are attacked and die,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice. “The footage we’ve seen is just horrible.”

In 1997, former premier Mike Harris began phasing out train and trial areas, bringing the current number of registered train and trial pens down to 22, according to the province.

Now, with new applications open, the number could climb higher.

Under the guidelines, applicants are supposed to track each injury and death while ensuring medical care is provided to wounded animals. However, Lesley Sampson, director of animal welfare group- Coyote Watch Canada, says many Facebook groups and footage point to the latter. Sampson calls these trial pens an “unregulated perverse game.”