LETTER: Hunting animals is a cruel act

I can't believe that hunters are thrilled by the opportunity to kill defenseless wildlife. And, I can't believe that states permit the cruelty of hunting of all wildlife in this day and age.

New Jersey Fish & Wildlife exists to provide trophy hunts for those who get a thrill from killing and want to hang a trophy on their wall.

Many kind and sensible people of New Jersey do complain, but they are ignored by the state and its legislators. What a heartbreaking and undemocratic situation.

Honestly, all hunters should be jailed for animal cruelty. But states want hunters because the more hunters they have, the more money they get from the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937.

So all New Jersey's wildlife families will continue to be tortured and killed by hunters, even though a New Jersey statute says that in New Jersey, the definition of animal includes the whole brute creation. And, a person commits the crime of cruelty to animals if the person kills a living animal.

So, why isn't hunting “animal cruelty?” It should be a crime.

Barbara Metzler

BROOKSIDE