Slater Introduces Bill to Ban "Captive Hunting" in Rhode Island
GoLocalProv News Team
Slater Introduces Bill to Ban "Captive Hunting" in Rhode Island
“Physically preventing an animal from escaping death is not hunting and I do not know a single active hunter who thinks such practices are acceptable either," said Slater. "This cruel form of ‘entertainment or sport’ has no place in our state and I will be urging my colleagues in the legislature to support this bill that will prevent ‘captive hunting’ from ever taking hold in Rhode Island."
Slater told GoLocal that he was unaware of any captive hunting in the state presently -- but as legislation had been introduced as recently as 2019 to allow hunting on preserves, he wanted to implement a ban before it could be allowed.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I've spoken with hunters who support this," Slater said. "And if you bring in animals into an environment foreign to them, you could introduce such things as wasting disease."
“Captive hunting” is defined in Slater's legislation as a hunt that occurs within a structure designed to restrict the free movement of animals and prevents the animal from escaping.
The bill describes the structures used as fences, manmade structures, or natural barriers used to prevent animals from escaping or fleeing the confined area of the hunt. Private lands set up as hunting or shooting preserves, or game ranches, are included in the definition.
The legislation also states no species of animal may be imported or intentionally or unintentionally captured for the use of “captive hunting.”
The legislation would not apply to the release of domestic game birds on public property, or on private property that is licensed by the Department of Environmental Management as a shooting preserve, for the purpose of hunting.
The bill has been referred to the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee.