The Falmouth-based Maine Friends of Animals is, in my view, the conscience of Mainers who want to improve the treatment of animals in the state. MFOA is trying to erase practices that are cruel, outdated and unacceptable in view of the current knowledge of animals’ physical and emotional suffering.

MFOA is working to change laws that are unnecessarily hurting animals, and works to enhance their protection. This legislative session, they are promoting LD 560, an act to ban canned hunting.

Poorly known to many Mainers, the state allows “canned hunting,” where domestically raised animals that have lost their fear of humans are kept in fenced acreage. Guides bring hunters to the watering and feeding areas, leaving no chance for the animals. These hunters, often inexperienced, come only for a trophy animal; meat and skin are seldom used and left to rot. The hunters are not required to have hunting licenses or gun-handling experience.

I have lived in the Maine woods for nearly 30 years and I respect the skilled hunter who, with a clean shot, can provide meat for the family. However, I find the concept of canned hunting thoroughly despicable. The hunter has no honor and the animal no chance.

I hope others will join me in support of LD 560, “An Act to Ban the Hunting of Animals in Enclosed Areas.” After all, canned hunting is like shooting fish in a barrel, and no one would call that fishing.

Monique Aniel, Mexico