this is the ONLY state of the 50 USA-states where this is legal - and that needs to change.

the SC State Motto - "Dum Spiro, Spero" - While I breathe, I hope.
well, these bears may be breathing, but i doubt they feel much hope.

AKC affiliated breed clubs use captive bears in direct contact with dogs, as foils for 'training'.
bears are staked or chained; the dogs are free; the events may last for 8 or more hours,
as dogs are set on the bear in pairs or small groups.
the bear may have all their teeth and claws, or claws may be cut or removed, or the animal may be defanged,
or have teeth stubbed [filed] or broken deliberately to avoid injury to the dogs.

there are not only public events to 'test' or 'train', but also private events at the bear-owner's home -
or elsewhere, with their own dogs or others. IMO this is despicable, and the loophole needs to be closed -
immediately.

Group wants to end setting dogs on chained bears. - NewsFeed Researcher - bear, bears, dogs, dog, state, carolina, south, states, events, society, humane, animal

Wayne Pacelle: Uncovered in South Carolina: Bear Abuse for Show

The Associated Press: Group wants to end setting dogs on chained bears

Humane Society fighting to ban bear baying in South Carolina | TheDigitel Charleston

Investigation Documents Cruelty of Bear Baiting : The Humane Society of the United States

A Bear's Suffering as Captive Bait : The Humane Society of the United States

Group wants to end setting dogs on chained bears - WECT TV6 - WECT.com - Wilmington, NC news and weather -

YouTube - Humane Society Goes After Bear Baying

IMO if anyone in SC has a bear WITH A PERMIT OR WITHOUT and that animal is missing teeth or claws,
teeth were filed, claws or teeth are broken - that animal should have VET DOCUMENTATION
to prove when and why this was done; if there is none, the owner should be arrested and charged
with animal cruelty -

removing an abscessed tooth is vastly different from defanging an animal to make that animal less-dangerous.
presumption of use for bear bay events which i would simply term bear-baiting
would IMO be a perfectly reasonable conclusion - if the owner is not doing this, then renting out
one's captive bear is still an attractive and lucrative possibility.

the AKC should be ashamed to have member-clubs involved in this cruel practice.

__________________
terry pride, APDT-Aus, apdt#1827, CVA, TDF
*wolves R wolves, dogs R dogs, + primates R us.*
tmp, sept-2007