Reward Offered for Exposing Cruelty at Live Pigeon Shoots

December 28, 2007

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing acts of cruelty to animals before, during and after live pigeon shoots.  A three-day shoot started today at the Strausstown Gun Club in Berks County, Pa. Dozens of shooters will be killing and wounding thousands of birds each day.  

The HSUS is seeking information about instances of cruelty during the shoots, as well as information pertaining to the illegal trafficking of pigeons across state lines to supply shoots, and illegal gambling occurring at events. In past shoots, 70 percent of the birds are shot and wounded rather than killed outright, with some wounded animals escaping into the area to suffer for hours or days before dying. 

"It's time to expose the seedy cruelty that occurs almost every weekend in Pennsylvania during live pigeon shoots," said Heidi Prescott, The HSUS' senior vice president of campaigns, "We encourage anyone with information related to supplying birds, gambling, or specific acts of cruelty occurring at shoots to come forward."

Individuals with information may call the toll-free live pigeon shoot tip line at 1-800-637-4124.

Background About Live Pigeon Shoots:

• Live pigeon shoots are events where shooters fire at birds released one at a time from boxes in an attempt to shoot each animal down within a ring for prizes. 
• Live pigeon shoots occur almost every weekend during the fall and winter, primarily in Pennsylvania.
• Although an underground, illegal pigeon shoot circuit exists, Pennsylvania is the last state where live pigeon shoots knowingly, regularly occur.
• During past live pigeon shoots, participants have beaten the pigeons against barrels, buried wounded animals with dead ones in containers, and abandoned wounded animals.
• At least 1,000 birds are typically used for one shoot.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—On the web at humanesociety.org.