Cattlemen pan ban on hunting with dogs

California's largest cattlemen's organization has signaled its opposition to a bill that would prohibit using dogs for hunting in certain situations.

The California Cattlemen's Association explains in its legislative newsletter:

This week, CCA drafted and sent a letter to Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) in opposition to his bill, SB 1221. SB 1221 would make it illegal to hunt or chase bears or bobcats with dogs which is currently a common practice used by hunters, houndsmen and landowners seeking to manage property damage from the ever-growing population of bears.

CCA’s letter outlined that not only would SB 1221 limit ranchers’ ability to responsibly manage the land and resources in our care, but it would also further harm the ability for to protect cattle from wildlife. Bears are known culprits of calf death losses to ranchers and just the presence of predators near a cow herd is known to cause undue stress on the cattle. The bill has been scheduled to be heard in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, April 24. CCA will be in attendance and testify against the adoption of SB 1221 at the committee hearing.