Bill Banning Hound Hunting Passed in California

On Wednesday, the Humane Society of the United States—a lead sponsor of bill SB 1221—revealed that Gov. Jerry Brown had signed the bill into law, making hound hunting of black bears and bobcats illegal in the state of California. In addition, 68 California Assembly and Senate members also backed the bill, joining vegan author, and animal-rights activist Alicia Silverstone in calling for an end to the inhumane practice. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and in particular the HSUS, had been integral in ensuring the bill’s passing, working directly with the bill’s authors throughout the process. The HSUS also revealed that more than 80 percent of Californians opposed the “sport,” while less than one percent of state residents were hunters.