Bear Baiting and Blood Sport Welfare

Bear baiting and similar blood sports persist in some regions despite legal bans. Understanding the welfare harms strengthens advocacy against these practices.

Key Facts

Bear baiting is illegal in most countries but continues illegally in parts of South Asia
Trained dogs attack a tethered bear with little ability to escape
Bears used in baiting often have teeth and claws removed, making defense impossible
Baiting events cause severe injuries to both bears and dogs
Pakistan has the most documented remaining bear baiting activity

Welfare Considerations

Bear baiting causes severe welfare harms to all animals involved. Bears suffer physical injuries from multiple dog attacks, and psychological trauma from repeated exposure to attacks without escape. The removal of teeth and claws before baiting makes bears defenseless while prolonging their suffering. Dogs trained and used for baiting are selected for high aggression and suffer their own injuries. Both species are kept in conditions of deprivation to increase aggression and performance. There is no welfare justification for the practice.

What You Can Do

Support World Animal Protection and their campaigns against bear baiting
Donate to organizations in Pakistan working to end baiting and rescue bears
Advocate for full enforcement of wildlife crime laws in baiting regions
Support media coverage that exposes ongoing baiting practices
Engage with embassies of countries where baiting persists to urge stronger enforcement