Opinion: Wildife Rescue & Rehabilitation Urges Residents to Speak Out Against ‘Extreme Acts of Cruelty’

Each year, thousands of animals, including bobcats, coyotes, foxes, wolves, snakes and many others, are unethically hunted during wildlife killing contests/competitions.

Due to a lack of regulation these animals are left unprotected and defenseless to contestants who often use high-tech weapons and animal call mechanisms to lure unsuspecting animals to their death.

Animal protection organizations such as Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation (WRR), The Humane Society of The United States, Animal Legal Defense Fund and Project Coyote are taking a stand against these grossly inhumane contests.

These events take place in 43 states across the U.S., the largest of which is held on private property in San Angelo.  This killing contest is called West Texas Big Bobcat Competition and is an annual event beginning in January and ending in March. The goal of this cruel competition is to slaughter as many animals as possible for prizes.

The wanton slaughter of wildlife for prizes is an inconceivable concept to most of us and certainly to those who consider themselves honorable hunters.

The ramifications of these events, many taking place during the spring baby season, can leave newly orphaned babies behind to perish from starvation. During The Humane Society’s investigation, it was found that even pregnant animals are targeted and mercilessly killed.

People who host and partake in these events justify their actions claiming they are providing a service by killing “pests” as a form of population control. In fact, research disputes these claims and has shown that aggressively killing coyotes can lead to an increase in their reproductive rate.

Organizations such as Project Coyote are calling for a “modern, evidence-based, and compassionate approach to coexistence with wildlife.”

Wildlife Rescue urges everyone to join in our fight to end this senseless killing of innocent animals by seeking a ban on wildlife killing contests. For more information on how you can help ban these contests visit the link below https://secure.humanesociety.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=7760&s_src=web_WKC-global-CTA.

In addition, WRR encourages residents of San Angelo and everyone who finds this practice deplorable to take immediate action by contacting San Angelo City officials to express your disgust at the bloody sport that is taking place. You will find contact information for San Angelo City officials at https://www.cosatx.us/government/city-council.

You can also express your concern by writing letters to editors of local or national newspapers and magazines. We also encourage you to boycott the businesses who support this competition. The full list of businesses can be found at https://www.wtbbc.org/sponsors/.

About WRR

WRR was founded in 1977 in San Antonio, Texas. Since 2001 its primary base of operations has been located on 212 acres near Kendalia, Texas. WRR serves San Antonio, Austin, surrounding counties, and occasionally other parts of Texas as well. The group also helps wild animals, nationwide, who need sanctuary.