Hunter's death resulted from safety lapsesduring a grisly 'sport'

December 17, 2009 3:14 am

The shooting death of Ferrum College student Jessica Goode is tragic, and all the more so because it was completely avoidable ["Hunter charged in fatal shooting of Ferrum student," Nov. 19].

The man who killed Jessica didn't have a hunting license, apparently hadn't taken a hunter safety course, and didn't have permission to hunt on the property. He had no business being there.

As long as people persist in tromping through the woods armed to the teeth, accidents will happen.

In 2009, more than 50 people have been killed in hunting accidents and hundreds more injured. In Virginia alone, nine people were killed during the 2008-2009 season.

All these deaths were stupid, tragic accidents. The wounding and killing of millions of animals every year is done on purpose. Whatever the reasons behind all this mayhem, it's time to stop slaughtering animals for "fun."

A lot of suffering could be prevented if we stopped putting hunters' entertainment ahead of the safety of people and the welfare of wildlife and started seriously exploring and implementing humane methods of wildlife management that, unlike sport hunting, actually work.

Alisa Mullins

Norfolk

The writer is a research specialist with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.