Animal rights groups sue Ontario government over coyote hunting contest

An annual coyote hunting contest hosted in Belleville has prompted an animal rights group to file a lawsuit against the Ontario government for allowing it to happen.

An annual coyote hunting contest hosted by an outdoor store in Belleville has prompted three animal rights groups to file a lawsuit against the Ontario government for allowing it to happen.

Activists say the contest is essentially a bounty and should be illegal because it has not been authorized by the province.

“The government knows what the laws are and they’re just choosing to ignore them,” said Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice.

Labchuk said the annual coyote hunting contest hosted by Chesher’s outdoor store in Belleville is illegal and Animal Justice has filed a lawsuit against the provincial government for not applying the law.

“The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act actually prohibits hunting coyotes or other animals for gain or bounty so on its face this contest is illegal, so that’s why we’re suing the Ontario government for allowing it to proceed,” Labchuk said.

According to Chesher’s Facebook page, every year throughout the month of February the store has interested hunters pay an entry fee, hunt coyotes, and bring them to the store to be weighed to see if they’re eligible for a cash prize at the end of the season.

“There is a very clear benefit being provided to the hunter that perhaps induces them to engage in additional hunting which is directly contrary to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.”

The owner of Chesher’s did not respond to a request by phone and email for an interview, but a woman who spoke inside the store said police and lawyers have advised staff not to publicly discuss the contest.