Pennsylvania Coyote Hunt Back On Despite Protests

by Sherry Morse

The coyote hunt originally planned as a fund raiser for the Salvation Army in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania was cancelled recently after protests by animal advocates - but to the dismay of animal lovers, the hunt has now been reinstated with a new sponsor, who has not yet been named.

According to Linda Yulenavage of the Outdoor Expo Committee, there is now no connection between the hunt known as the "Shotguns and Pickup Trucks Coyote Hunt" and the Salvation Army.

"Out of respect for the wishes of the Salvation Army, the Outdoor Expo Committee has decided to abandon its plans to be associated in any way with this planned event," the group said in a statement.

Salvation Army Captain Sharon Cupp said that the hunt was now being sponsored not by the Salvation Army but by members of the Tamaqua chapter's advisory board.

The advisory board, an independent committee, had previously raised money for the chapter with a sporting goods sale which was expected to be the second largest fundraiser of the year after the annual kettle drive.

Virginia Wolfe, president of the Lehigh Valley Animal Rights Coalition (LVARK) said, "We are still upset about (the hunt), but we have no venue to address it."

The controversial hunt is scheduled to take place January 10 - 17 in several Pennsylvania counties.

In Pennsylvania, state law still allows anybody with a hunting license to hunt coyote at any time of the year.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.