We were at the state Capitol in Salem today to urge the Senate Committee on Judiciary to recommend approval of a bill to ban coyote killing contests in Oregon (Senate Bill 723-2). You can watch a video of the hearing here. At the hearing, the chair of the committee announced he would hold the hearing record on this bill open until 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 1. So you can still submit comments and have them become part of the official committee record. Send your comments to sjud.exhibits@oregonlegislature.gov. All you need to say is something like, "I am an Oregon resident and I ask that you please support SB 723-2 to ban coyote killing contests in our state," though it's always best to use your own words. Go here to see the letter we signed with other groups in support of this bill.
Even after the hearing record closes, you can still:
• Contact members of the Senate Committee on Judiciary directly and urge them to support SB 723-2. If one of them is your senator, be sure to note that in your comments. Go here to see who is on the Committee and get links to their email addresses. Go here to see who your senator is.
• Contact your senator and representative and urge them to support SB 723-2. Go here to see who your senator and representative are. If they are not on the committee they won't vote on the bill until the Committee votes to move the bill forward, but we hope that will happen soon, and their interest could also help influence action by the Committee.
Talking points:
• Coyote killing contests are completely at odds with ethical, fair-chase hunting; even Oregon's own Fish and Wildlife Commission Chair, Mike Finley, has publicly condemned these events.
• Studies show that the indiscriminate killing of native carnivores like coyotes will not protect livestock, and will not increase game species. It can even lead to an increase in coyote numbers by disrupting stable family packs, causing more reproduction.
• Recent polling of Oregon voters have found that a solid majority support an end to cruel, unsporting, and ineffective coyote killing contests, and recognize the important role of coyotes in Oregon’s ecosystem.
Thanks to Senators Michael Dembrow of Portland and Jeff Golden of Ashland for being chief sponsors of this bill; and to Senator Kathleen Taylor of Portland and Representatives Alissa Keny-Guyer (Portland), Courtney Neron (Tigard area) and Rob Nosse (Portland) for being additional co-sponsors. Thanks also to Senator Dembrow and Representative Brad Witt for appearing at the hearing today to testify in support of the bill. For additional information about this bill, go here.
Thank you for helping us advocate for animal welfare in Oregon!