JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — This week, Florida Wildlife officials approved a bear hunt in Florida for the first time in ten years.

One of the controversial elements of the hunt is the use of dogs — and now, acase from seven years ago is proving to be relevant.

A cell phone video from the 2018 case was evidence in an animal cruelty investigation. It shows a cornered bear falling from a tree to a pack of dogs below during a hunt.

Once the bear lands on the ground, the pack of dogs attack and maul it. 

This video was part of a case seven years ago in which the Florida Attorney General at the time, Pam Bondi, prosecuted nine hunters for animal cruelty.

During a press conference at the time, Bondi said, “Florida black bears were being baited and taken by a group that trained hunting dogs.”

Humane World for Animals — formerly known as the Humane Society — posted a snippet of the video online to highlight what they consider the cruelty of bear hunting with dogs.

Wednesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously approve a bear in Florida, allowing for the use of dogs, baiting, and archery. 

Other people who oppose a Florida bear hunt, such as Adam Sugalski of Jacksonville, agree.

“It is animal cruelty. But somehow now, that’s a method of hunting now in Florida that they’re going to be using,” Sugalski told First Coast News. 

With the now-approved dog hunt in Florida, dogs will be allowed in the hunt starting in 2027.

Some hunters say the way those hunters used dogs in the 2018 case was not typical.

The Vice President of the Florida State Dog Hunters Association told the FWC Commission, “Dog hunting when done by true sportsman is conducted with discipline, strong ethics, and a deep commitment to conservation.”

Regarding the decision to consider dogs for a bear hunt, the FWC website states:  Harvesting bears using dogs allows hunters to be more selective about which bear they take because they would have more time to observe the bear while it is in a tree.

As for that 2018 case, most of those who were arrested plead guilty and were sentenced to probation. 

In Florida, dogs are also allowed when hunting for deer, hog, foxes or coyotes.