One of these things is not like the other....

The Toronto “Sportsmen’s” Show (my emphasis) aka The How To Kill Animals And Fish Show is on this week at Exhibition Place.  Normally, I would simply ignore its existence as despite repeated efforts on the part of the few avid hunters and fishers of my acquaintance (some of whom I even like)- to convince me there is “sport” in slaughtering wildlife, I have yet to understand the mindset that finds it entertaining to go out in the woods and kill creatures who are simply trying to exist.

Further, I have always found the word “sport” an anathema when associated with the practice of using guns, bows and other grossly unfair advantages to slaughter animals.  I am fairly confident that the animals do not see this as “sport” nor do they really have a “sporting” chance against a speeding bullet or a metal-tipped arrow.

I have grudgingly accepted (due to my years in the Maritimes) the reality that there are some people who actually kill animals because it in truth supplements an inadequate income.  Perhaps not so oddly, those same individuals garner a certain amount of respect because they are (in my opinion), more likely to be more “humane” hunters (if such a word can be used in that context), and at least use the creature they kill – often to feed their families during hard winters and lean times.

I find myself confounded that an umbrella organization called Helping Homeless Pets (“HHP”) is actually manning a booth at this extravaganza of machismo (used here in a non-gender specific way) and brazen display of bloodlust.

Huh??

Am I not getting something here?

An organization that purports to advocate for the rights of animals (albeit, perhaps specifically for dogs and cats alone?) thinks a venue such as this is an appropriate place in which to prmote their philosophy?

To play devil’s advocate, one could argue that the animals in peril from attendees are primarily amphibians, deer, moose and other wild creatures.  The reality is that the line between our treatment of what we perceive as “domestic” animals and others is a thin one and difficult to justify.   Firstly, the species we (as in North Americans, Europeans and increasingly, other nations) – name as ‘domestic’ is growing exponentially as science and exposure teach us that the intelligence and complicated reality of every animal’s psyche continues to expand. Once upon a time it was common practice for “scientists” to dismember animals while alive and aware; vivisectionists held that the cries of pain, the agony, the physical and patently mental agony were simply involuntary physiological reactions – or conversely, the repugnant belief that man had the right to inflict what he chose on the “lesser” creatures.

Every year brings with it new insights into the suffering of the creatures with whom we share this planet. The rending despair of cows whose calves are summarily removed from them as the milk is intended for humans; the frightening intelligence of pigs, an intelligence surpassing that of dogs (our closest companions); the increasing awareness of the strong family ties among many species; the mourning that they go through on the death or removal of one of their own.

But that aside, dogs are indeed an integral cog in the hunting machine.  The unfortunate reality is that they are often the most under-appreciated – and abused -  tool in the hunter’s arsenal.  This is not a North American phenomenon – in Spain and Portugal there is a huge issue with abandoned and abused hunting dogs at the end of the hunting seasons – it is estimated more than 50,000 dogs a year are abandoned due to this industry.  There are similar issues in the U.S., particularly rural areas where as hunting season draws to a close, there is a huge influx of abandoned, starved and abused coonhounds, foxhounds and similar dogs, who have been turned loose to fend for themselves. Apparently rifles are more valuable than a dog.  Canada is not exempt; check pounds and humane societies after hunting seasons has passed – particularly in rural areas – and you will see an agonizing number of abandoned and abused dogs discarded  These dogs are often undersocialized, unvetted and suffering from ticks, fleas and other vermin as well as being chronically under-weight.  Their treatment while ostensibly in the care of their “owners” is usually less than stellar as the intent is, from the beginning, that of being a disposable “tool”.

There are numerous organizations right here in Ontario which exist solely to try to help these abandoned and abused dogs – which makes it ironic that an umbrella organization like HHP finds it not only acceptable but argue it can provide a venue to “educate and build awareness”.  A simple google search brought me to the sites of http://www.coonhoundrescue.ca/, http://pointingbreedrescue.blogspot.ca/, http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/dogwoodrescue.html, to cite just a few.

A spokesperson for HHP countered that the Sportsmen’s Show boasts many exhibitors other than sports involving animals – and that the show itself:

“provides an opportunity to reach and educate a large number of the public in the three day period.  We believe our presence, and our message, has a greater impact than our absence (which would likely go completely un-noticed by the public).”

The spokesperson noted that at one time the Sportsmen’s Show donated space to rescues (a ploy to my mind not unlike Ducks Unlimited who like to tout their commitment to preserving the marshes and wildlife habitats as being “environmentally” conscious when in fact they simply want to preserve a habitat which provides a venue for their slaughter of water fowl).

He also asserts that the show is not solely devoted to hunters and fishermen but also to numerous sports that do not involve killing something – i.e. camping, boating, hiking etc.  Regardless, the reality is that I believe by appearing in such a venue, there is a tacit if not outright statement of support for the types of sports which bring pain and suffering to not only wild creatures, but domestic ones.  It is, in my view, highly unlikely that the type of individual who attends this type of show would in any way be swayed – or even be interested in – exploring a rescue organization or in any way supporting them.  To do so would in fact, be counter the mindset that many of these hunters and fishers clearly exhibit.  A cursory glance at the website for the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show clearly reveals a preference for blood sports; the primary tabs after Visitor Info are Fishing and Hunting and the pictures today are of fishermen (yesterday they were of hunting).

HHP closes by asserting “As a charity we do not protest, but rather we educate and assist where and when we can.”  I would counter that any rescue organization has a duty to educate, advocate and protest – that it is an intrinsic and crucial role of any animal advocate to be vocal in defending the proper care of animals.  Further, the non-appearance at a particular venue can- with adequate and respectful dialogue – be a much louder (albeit unvoiced) comment on the acceptability of that venue.

Arguing that you are there to “educate” is simplistic and in my opinion, patently unrealistic.  Should children (as noted in the HHP response) be one of the targets of their “education” then it would have a far greater impact to put together a package that could be distributed to schools, starting at the elementary level.  Visits to schools and community groups by knowledgeable volunteers could potentially have a powerful effect on young minds.  Booths in the midst of the chaos and noise of a show such as this are highly unlikely to provide anything but a momentary diversion – with children being dragged off to the parent’s venue of choice (i.e. hunting, fishing or other “sport”).

There is, when all is said and done, there is an intrinsic and inarguable contradiction in any rescue group supporting a venue such as the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show.  The facile and glib assertions that one doesn’t have to “support” bloodsports but are there to “educate is either naive or clearly misguided.  A resounding and emphatic NO to venues such as this has more potential to educate than attending as  an exhibitor who whether voiced or not, certainly gives the impression that these types of “sports” are acceptable.