Animal Justice won its fight over the issuance of three penned dog hunting licences that appeared to permit illegal activity. In response to Animal Justice’s lawsuit, the government has now agreed to amend the licences. This is an important step that will help ensure that at the very least those engaged in this barbaric practice comply with the few laws on the books aimed at protecting animals used in this bloodsport.
Penned Dog Hunting is a Cruel Bloodsport
In penned dog hunts, participants bring dogs to track and chase foxes, rabbits, and coyotes in an enclosed pen. Organizers even hold “trialing” contests and award prizes based on dogs’ ability to track and chase terrified, captive wildlife. Proponents of this brutal sport falsely claim animals are not harmed or killed. But Animal Justice’s 2023 exposé revealed the grim reality. Dogs regularly capture, maul, and kill animals inside these enclosures. Hunters’ dogs also suffer injuries and mistreatment.
Ontario Breathes New Life into This Terrifying Industry
By design, penned hunting facilities inflict extreme fear and distress on animals. Dogs, sometimes in packs, chase, attack, and kill wild animals trapped in these enclosures. Penned dog hunting is so archaic and cruel that most US states ban penned dog hunting. But Ontario still allows it—the only province in Canada to do so. In 1997, Ontario banned new licences to phase out the industry. But in 2023, bowing to extremist hunting groups, the Ontario government passed legislation to reopen licensing, reviving and expanding a dying industry. Those licences are expected to be issued this year.
Illegal Penned Dog Hunting Licences
Through an access-to-information request, Animal Justice discovered three existing licences containing what appeared to be illegal conditions. These licences appeared to permit “trialling” competitions to be carried out with large dogs—including coonhounds and bloodhounds—being used to hunt foxes in facilities that do not meet minimum size requirements stated in regulations. Animal Justice sued Ontario over the licences in an effort to ensure enforcement of existing laws.
When the Ontario government moved to permit new penned dog hunting licences, it claimed that existing laws were enough to protect animals forced to participate in “train and trial” areas. The government claimed that penned hunting operations are being monitored and regulated. Shockingly, government records obtained by Animal Justice suggest that there were no inspections into existing penned hunting facilities over a two year period between the spring of 2023 and early 2025. In that time, vulnerable animals suffered with no oversight in this cruel bloodsport.
This lack of inspection and oversight makes it all the more important that facilities’ licences are clear and reflect requirements set out in regulations.
Victory Against Penned Dog Hunting
The Ontario Government’s decision to amend these licences is a small but important victory for these animals. But the fight is not over. New licences are still expected to be issued this year. Animal Justice will keep fighting to oppose this barbaric sport until it ends for good. Please join us in telling Ontario it is time to ban penned dog hunting!
