On Jan. 9, a bill will be heard in the NH Senate to prohibit the cruel practice of hounding coyotes. Unlike other hounded animals, coyotes cannot climb a tree to escape. Their only recourse, once exhausted, is to turn and fight. Being outnumbered the coyote can be mauled before the hunter catches up to shoot the coyote. We have seen gruesome photos of coyotes with dogs mauling and killing them. This is also dangerous for hunting dogs. There is an irrational hatred for coyotes among hunters. It stems from when we thought survival was about us or them. That never was true, and it certainly is not true today. We can coexist and should treat coyotes with respect and humanity.

Coyotes are wild dogs, and we all love our dogs. They are an important predator in NH, helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem. NH Fish and Game (NHFG) states on its website a coyote can be a farmer’s best friend by keeping the prey population in check. Coyote hounding is called a tradition. But it isn’t used in the traditional way it once was. Native Americans and others hounded coyotes out of necessity. They used the fur and meat. Today, coyotes are hounded for fun, and the dead animal is not used. This is called wanton waste of a natural resource. NHFG opposes wanton waste. Please contact your NH senators and ask them to support SB 346 so the coyote is given some long-overdue protection from this cruel hunting practice.

Linda Dionne

Raymond