South Carolina’s “Bear Baying”: An Eerily Similar Practice to Pakistan’s “Bear Baiting”… Right in our Own Backyard

Investigators for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), a WSPA member society, recently attended several bear baying competitions in South Carolina. What they found is shocking. In each event, a captive bear – with its claws and many teeth cut down or removed – was tethered in an arena. Teams after teams of dogs were then released into the arena to bark at and jump on the frightened, defenseless bear for hours at a time.

Many WSPA supporters have asked us the question: “What is the difference between bear baying and bear baiting?” According to our wildlife adviser and bear expert Victor Watkins, the two “sports” are very similar; however there are subtle differences between them:

“Bear baiting” takes place in Pakistan and is solely a form of entertainment. During bear baiting events, dogs try to pull down a bear (whose claws and teeth are cut down or removed) by biting at its muzzle and flanks. This is a "sport" to see if the bear can keep the dogs away or if the dogs can bring the bear to the floor. It allows for much physical contact, leaving both the bears and the dogs injured. Bear baiting is against the law in Pakistan, although illegal events still take place. WSPA has worked on this issue for several years and plans to continue our work until the practice is eradicated.

“Bear baying” takes place outside of Pakistan and is touted as a method used to train hunting dogs. Similar to bear baiting, bear baying uses a captive bear whose claws and teeth are cut down or removed. The bear is tethered in an arena and used to train dogs on how to keep a bear “at bay” during hunting (typically, by barking and chasing it.) As part of the training, the dogs may bite the bear, but it is not as frequent or severe as in bear baiting. South Carolina is the only US state in which bear baying is legal – and, while it is slightly less violent in nature than bear baiting, it is an equally inhumane practice.

WSPA and many of its supporters have joined the HSUS in contacting the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to voice our opposition on bear baying. We understand that many people are now having trouble getting through to the department due to the sheer volume of calls, but please don’t give up! And if you have any other questions about the HSUS investigation or what you can do to help, please contact the organization directly at http://www.humanesociety.org/about/contact/.

Image of bear baiting (c)WSPA

Comments

[Lynda Long-Fainter]

It makes no difference whether it is "bear baying" or "bear baiting" -- SHAME ON SOUTH CAROLINA FOR PARTICIPATING IN SUCH A CRUEL, EVIL AND INHUMAME PRACTICE. I think the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) should cut some funds from the South Carolina budget until this form a torture to bears has been discontinued. I don't do STUPID well. It doesn't matter whether it is Pakistan or South Carolina, this practice is disgusting
no matter how anyone looks at it.

I think the same thing should be done to whatever boneheads thought up this practice. How much do you want to bet the boneheads would be yelling for help. . .AND didn't I say. . .I don't do STUPID well.

[augustine aliberti]

this kind of formal animal cruelty must and should be stoped immediately. and those watching the dogs biting the bear. should all be slapped with a fine of $5,000.00 dollors. I am a member of the wspa society of animal cruelty. and this is deeply, deeply, uncalled for. this is a severe cruelty to the bears. !!!!
stop this, know. !!!! KNOW. !!!!!

[THOMAS GILBRIDE]

PLEASE STOP THIS.BEAR BAYING IS SO CRUEL.HOW CAN ANYBODY CAN WHICH THIS

[Carol Schaming]

our ancestors had respect for the mighty eagle and the great bear, we would do well to listen to the voices of the past. I will boycott south carolina, and I urge everyone else to do the same until this type of cruelty stops.

[Kevin Flynn]

As you mentioned, I wasn't able to get through to the SC phone number for the Department of Natural Resources you provided. There was no answer, and no voice mail.

I will keep trying, but since I'm on the West Coast, it's hard enough as it is to talk to people on the East Coast, especially if it's some government beaurocracy (sp?).

Is there an email address, so I can write?

Hell, I'll even write a letter and send it via snail-mail. Aside from being pissed and beyond offended at what SC has allowed, I am doubly pissed that these folks think they can just take the phone off the hook and silence the opposition.

[Bruno Mariani]

I don´t know where or when this(and all the abominations done by man)is gonna stop.But i do know it never should´ve been alowed to begin!!!But we still have time to make all of it hapen,haven´t we???Stop hurting any kind of animals or plants!Love everything!Don´t destroy it!!!Maybe someday...

[WSPA USA]

Hi Kevin (and everyone else)!

Thank you for your comments and we share your frustration in trying to get through to the DNR to end this horrible practice.

We have heard from a few WSPA supporters that members of the South Carolina State Legislature have been responding positively to requests to end bear baying, including Rep. Boyd Brown, Rep. Shannon Erickson and Sen. Larry Martin. Contact information for these and other legislators can be found using the following links:

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/housemembers.html

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/html-pages/senatemembers.html

For additional information on who to contact, you can also ask HSUS directly, as they are leading the initiative on this particular issue:

The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
Phone: 202-452-1100 Monday—Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST
Email: http://www.humanesociety.org/forms/contact_us/wildlife_contact_form.html

Thank you for your support and for doing all you can to help these bears (and dogs!)

[Brenda]

How about this, we put you humnas that support and watch this in the ring with the dog. These dogs are also getting bad wrap, they are taught this behavior. Dogs just want to please, why treat them to be mean.

I think many humans are worse than animals.

[Linda]

Unbelievable! Everytime I think humanity is becoming enlightened,- I hear about something as vile as this. Shame on anyone who considers animal cruelty as a sport!!

[Kristin Wilson]

OMG! This is insane! I'm am so saddened to know this happens. I'm so sick of the human race. I do thank God for the SPCA and others who try to help all animals that are tortured by us.

[Lindsey Deon]

As a South Carolinian I was appalled to see that Bear Baying is practiced in our state. This clearly should be stopped and the people responsible for this form of cruelty should be punished.

[Brittany Nemecheck]

omg, what kind of people would do that??? that is sssoooo cruel.... i hope they REALLY get what they deserve!

[Tim Schultz]

Human entertainment, humanity and greed, arrogance, disrespect, the list goes on. All go hand in hand for humans to leave a disgusting footprint on this planet

[Maggie Lange]

I had no idea this still existed...i've heard of it in the past but thought humanity knew better at this point. I can't believe this is still allowed. There needs to be an end to this cruelty and fast. I didn't think such moronic humans still existed!!! This is more disgusting than words can define and shame on those who participate in it in any way!!!

[Miriam Kuhlen]

This INHUMANE act of so called entertainment is beyond HORRIFIC AND DISPICABLE! THIS MUST BE "STOPPED"!!!!!

[Sandy Peden]

I know where my next vacation WON'T be.

[Amanda Hafner]

How in the world could this be allowed so close to home?! South Carolina offically sickens me! I'm so shocked that I can't even begin to rage!

[augustine aliberti]

we seriously need everyone, everyone to take strong and upmost powerful actions on all, serious animal cruelty. and severly
punish its bad guys. !!!!

please be a strong powerful wspa supporters
and help care, help protect its loveable animals.

thanks, I hear your angers.
mr augustine aliberti
wspa member and supporter.

[MR AUGUSTINE ALIBERTI]

its wspa members & team supports will be closely watching and fully monitoring any and all, animal cruely & abuse to any and all animals. so watchout, are eyes are ears will be watching and hearing for any form of animal cruelty. and if so. we of its wspa
members and supporters will take serious action. !!!
Im a member of its;
wspa society.
aspca society.
peta- animal leal defense fund.
Im a member of all 3. organizations.

=> ANIMALS MATTER TO ME.
I SIGNED UP.

=> ANIMAL BILL OF RIGHTS.
I SIGNED UP.
MR AUGUSTINE ALIBERTI bridgewater, ma 02324

ANIMAL CRUELTY MUST BE STOPED.
EVERYONE, NEEDS TO WATCH AND FULLY MONITOR ITS ANIMAL CRUELTY & ABUSE. !!!!
PLEASE, PLEASE, HELP ME HELP SAVE THE LIVES OF ITS WORLDWIDE ANIMALS.
ITS TIME TO BE A FRONT LINE SAVER FOR ALL, ALL, ITS LOVEABLE ANIMALS.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME, YOUR UNDERSTANDINGS, AND YOUR SUPPORT WITHIN ITS SAD,UGLY ANIMAL CRUELTY THAT STILL IS HAPPENING WORLDWIDE. !!!

IM WORKING DAY AND NIGHT. TO HELP AND SAVE ITS ANIMALS. I HOPE THAT I CAN REACH OUT INTO YOUR HEART. TO STAND BY MY SIDE. AND HELP ME FIGHT, SAVE, CARE, AND FULLY PROTECT ITS ANIMALS TODAY AND EVERYDAY.

IM DOING WHAT EVER, EVER, NEEDS TO BE DONE TO SERIOUSLY, HELP SAVE AND PROTECT ITS ANIMALS.

JOIN UP ITS WSPA SOCIETY FOR ANIMAL CARE AND PROTECTION. AND STOP ITS ANIMAL CRUELTY
AND ABUSE. !!!!

ITS ANIMALS, WILL TRUELY LOVE YOU. THAT ARE
CRYING OUT FOR YOUR HELP EVERY MINUTE THEY GET ABUSED, HURT, OR KILLED.
LETS ALL FIGHT BACK AND WIN THE BATTLE FOR ITS ANIMALS.

[leonard brodt]

I scream from the highest tree..WE NEED A LISTING OF ALL SPECTATORS AND PARTICIPANTS
OF THOSE WHO INDULGE IN BEAR BAITING OR BEAR BAYING OR CRUELTY OF THE LIKE.!!We have need of a listing...

[Lenny909]

I scream from the highest tree. WE NEED A LISTING OF ALL PARTICIPANTS AND SPECTATORS
WHO INDULGE IN BEAR BAITING OR BEAR BAYING
OR CRUELTY OF THE LIKE.lET ME REPEAT THAT
WE NEED A LISTING BECAUSE ONE DAY WE WILL HAVE A NEED OF WHO IS WHO..!!!nOW THAT MY FRIEND IN R.I. knows about S.C.'s will not travel there anymore.I am a combat veteran
of ww2 and I don't want the US Government
to use my tax money to help S.C.

[leonard brodt]

Whomever consumes enjoyment of bear baying is cowardly'!!

[Lia]

I am heartsick. I have never been more ashamed to be a part of the "human" race. How dare you "bear baying" aka "bear BAITING" SICKOS sit in judgment of anyone anywhere anytime any place. What kind of evil exists in you to consider this a "sport?" These animals, like us, are spiritual beings in a physical body. You have no right to erase, deny, obliterate, scar, or mar their spirit. There will be a judgment day for all of us. Oh to be a fly on the wall when your day comes. I would sit and applaud your demise, while laughing hysterically at your excuses for the wrongs you have committed. It couldn't happen to nicer "people." I use that word loosely. You are disgusting beyond belief. How fun would it be to "play this sport" with you or one of your family members? Any takers? Gee, why? Would that be CRUEL?

[Josh]

everyone just needs to grow up there is way more important things to worry about...plus i dont c how this is ne worse than a rodeo or payin to get in the zoo im sure none of those animals want to be there either.

[Linda]

I've been aware of and horrified by bear baiting in Pakistan for about 10 years. I consider myself very well informed on virtually any kind of animal cruelty sick humans can think up and yet I only just today found out that we have bear baiting (call if by another name, it still stinks) in the United States and that it's LEGAL here!! It's truly a rare form of shock for me. OMG How utterly disgusting and revolting. It's not even legal in Pakistan but it is here. This needs more publicity than it's getting if even people like me have never heard of this form of animal cruelty happening in America before! I can't even absorb the mentality that this is legal here and they have "competitions" that allow a bear to be attacked over and over again by several dogs for 'sport.'