This barbaric practice, prohibited by Pakistani Law in 1998, continues to this day and was highlighted in the press on 12th January 2001.  Picture this disgusting scenario - all done in the name of sport and amusement for crowds of up to 3,000.
 

• An Asiatic black bear with teeth and claws cruelly removed.
• It fights for life against its protagonists - pit bull terriers.
• The bear's muzzle is bitten to the bone and the flesh is ripped off as the bear haemorrhages profusely.
• The bear which fought of two dogs had to endure three more bouts before dying. 

When asked by the World Society for the Protection of Animals to confiscate bears to prevent them being abused in this way, the Pakistani authorities bleated that they had nowhere to put them.  Another excuse offered is that these incidences are in villages and that we "must understand that village life in Pakistan is very different".  It is further stated that "They have their own system of law and order and the presence of police is very minimal, as it is not required".  NOT REQUIRED - when the law of the country is being breached? 

These incidents are not small or isolated.  Last November WSPA's aerial reconnaissance proved that Punjabi landlord Malik Muhammad Ramzan hosted an event in which 14 bears were attacked.  Hundreds flocked to the spectacle including the local police who, despite complaints from the WSPA, turned a blind eye.

To protest, write to the Pakistani Commission - the address is atop my own letter which appears below.

His Excellency Mr. Abdul Kadir Jaffer,
The Pakistani High Commission,
35 Lowndes Square,
London,  SW1X 9JN.                                                                 15th January 2001

Your Excellency,

It is with considerable regret that I and many others feel compelled to write to you regarding the wickedness within some sections of the people of Pakistan.

The barbaric behaviour of villagers in areas of Pakistan who indulge in the blood-lust activity of bear-baiting is, I am convinced, an abomination in the eyes of Allah (The Merciful, The Compassionate) and of the multitudes of civilized people throughout the world.  I respectfully draw your attention to the fact that this abhorrent activity was made illegal under Pakistani Law in 1998. 

Here in Britain many people are determined to eradicate the senseless blood-lust of hunting wild animals with hounds - an act of hedonistic pleasure which is disgustingly followed by the British royal family and which, I must add, shames the many British people who are caring and compassionate.

I rather naively believed that, of the three basic major Semitic religions proclaiming the goodness and mercy of God, Islam would have shown a clear light in compassion to all sentient life.

I implore you to do everything in your power to end the suffering of this endangered species.  Hopefully, the human race as it evolves will come to love, respect and value all life.  The wild life of our planet is a magnificent gift from God and, should we do nothing to curtail the barbarous treatment of animals, we all bear the guilt of the destruction of endangered wild life and of blatant disrespect for God’s creations.  Please convey our concerns to your Government.

Yours faithfully,

Sian Pengwerin