Legalized Killing (Hunting) Discussed at Interfax-Ukraine

Today AZOU, URSA, and KECC spoke at the Interfax-Ukraine news agency about the relationship between animal cruelty and violence against people, and about legalized crime against animals called “hunting,” including trophy hunting.

Why is there criminal liability of 3 to 5 years imprisonment for animal cruelty, but if killing an animal is called “hunting,” such cruelty is legalized and unpunished?

The nervous system of a cat, dog, hare, roe deer, or bear is the same. The sensation of pain and fear is the same. The suffering is the same. Only the legal status is different.

In our time, hunting does not happen for the sake of obtaining food for the hunter’s family. There is no need to kill wild animals for food.

Hunting is about satisfying the need for dominance to boost self-esteem and the craving for violence and killing.

Trophy hunting can be compared to the collections of serial killers and maniacs who kept body parts or clothing of their victims.