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The tradition of hunting with dogs has become an issue in Virginia. Misconceptions of the sport have fueled controversy, supporters say. Others say too many hunters disregard private property rights and sometimes neglect the animals
RELATED: Did Marshall step into dog case?
RELATED: Judge: No neglect of 2 hunting dogs BLOG: Animal Control incident reports state both dogs had tracking collars
By DAN TELVOCK
Caroline County veterinarian Jack Hammett has seen his fair share of hunting dogs. Their health sort of runs the gamut, he said. "I find that fox hunters care for their dogs very well," said Hammett, from Animal Clinic of Caroline P.C. He has patched up hunting dogs struck by cars, with lacerations, fractures and eye injuries. "A running dog will sometimes run a stick right through its skin and tear a hole in it," he said. Virginia has a rich history of hunting with dogs. George Washington imported foxhounds into Virginia for hunting. In 1966, Virginia officials made the American Foxhound the state dog. But recently, the way hunting dogs are used and treated has become a cause of concern. Rural hunters have clashed with new suburban residents. What was acceptable 20 years ago is becoming less acceptable to some now. Just recently in Spotsylvania County, a judge ordered a veterinarian and the animal control department to return two hunting dogs to their Louisa owner after ruling there was no neglect. The veterinarian said the dogs were 20 pounds underweight with infections in their paws. "These were walking bones," Animal Control Officer S.A. Duncan said in court. In another case, two women face possible prison time after being charged earlier this year with stealing a deerhound in Richmond County. Annie L. Davis, 75, of Warsaw said she recognized the dog that Theresa Gordon of Callao found near her home last December as one she had rescued from an animal shelter a year earlier. Davis said she contacted the owner listed on the tag, but he told her he was in Maryland and could not immediately come to get the dog. Authorities later showed up at her door and said the dog had been reported stolen, she said.
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 8/3/2008
I don't mean that to sound smart but the truth is most dogs will hang around when fed. We love our dogs and are always looking for them when they aren't home so give the hunters some time, they really do want their dogs back.
But my husband is and we have approx 8 deer hounds and live in the country. My husband loves to hunt with his dogs and they love to hunt with him. We eat what he brings home and he doesn't kill anything he doesn't eat. Our dogs love the exercise and the thrill of the chase and yes if my husband can't locate one of his dogs he stays out there until he does and our dogs know their way home. They will come home, if the caring people who see them would let them keep going but instead they throw them food..
in moving o the Peoples Republic Of San Francisco, Not interestd in reenacting The Plantation past either.I wouldn't fit in there very well at all. You might what with your college degrees that you bring up even though it has nothing at all to do with the subject.
the VDGIF statistics show what we all know. Deer populations in VA are steadily increasing. 241,576 killed in 2007 compared to 75208 in 1980. They need to be managed, regardless if you're a hunter or not.
http://www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/va_game_wildlife/deer_harvest.asp?disp=1&locationFilter=State&CountyCityQuery=Accomack&RegionQuery=Northern+Mountain&ProvinceQuery=Mountain&temporalFilter=1947
survived. Hunters do many positives for the state. Taxes, hunters for the hungry and conservation. Louturks - Dog hunters walk anywhere from 5 to 15 miles a day. I'm an engineer with two masters. Please do us a favor and crawl back into your xbox. Ron_C - We have black, white and native americans in our club. I'll pay your moving costs to San Fran, CA. You would fit in perfectly. Here is a question for all. Do you really know were your food comes from? I do. Keep trusting the FDA.
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