Signed into law on December 22, 2023, New York is the tenth state to end wildlife killing contests for coyotes, foxes, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, crows, and other species. The statewide law, signed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, “prohibits events during which contestants compete to kill the most, the heaviest, and the smallest animals for cash and prizes,” Animal Legal Defense Fund reported.
The bill was supported by many animal protection and conservation groups, thousands of New Yorkers along with hunters, farmers, veterinarians, and wildlife rehabilitators, according to the New York governor’s office.
“Gov. Hochul has signed into law a critical, meaningful environmental policy, ending the wasteful use of our shared wildlife resources simply for cash and prizes,” Brian Shapiro, New York state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said. “We are grateful for the governor’s action and recognize the bold leadership of Assemblymember Glick and Senator Kennedy for championing this law. These inhumane, wasteful competitions must come to an end across the country once and for all and we hope other states will follow New York.”
Co-sponsored by Assemblymember Deborah Glick and Sen. Timothy Kennedy (D-New York), the legislation was approved by bipartisan majorities in both the Assembly and Senate. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) determined there were more than 20 killing contests statewide in January and February 2023.
New York joins Arizona, California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington, and most recently, Oregon with similar bans on wildlife killing contests.
While previously believed to be an effective population reduction method, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation determined that wildlife killing contests do not reduce native wildlife populations, prevent conflicts with livestock, or boost populations of game species like deer. Instead, science confirmed that such killings can actually increase populations and create more livestock conflicts especially with coyotes.
“Wildlife killing contests may have been viewed as part of a tradition, but with time we understand that the constant stress on the natural world requires us to re-evaluate customs that are undermining healthy ecosystems,” Assemblymember Deborah Glick, chair of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, said. “At the same time, this measure in no way prevents farmers, ranchers or others from dispatching nuisance animals predating on livestock or companion animals, in accordance with Department of Environmental Conservation regulations. New York becomes the tenth state to eliminate these so-called contests.”
COMMENTS