The Humane Society of the United States Calls on Senate to Pass Whitehouse Bill and Prevent Pay-Per-View Slaughter

WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) today welcomed the introduction of federal legislation designed to crack down on Internet hunting. The Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act, introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), would prevent the operation of web sites that allow people to shoot live animals remotely. 

The HSUS has advocated for state and federal legislation to combat Internet hunting since the launch of Live-Shot.com, a web site based in Texas that allowed users to pay a fee and shoot captive exotic animals on a fenced game ranch – simply by clicking a button on their keyboard or computer mouse.  While 34 states have now banned the practice, the interstate nature of the Internet calls for a federal policy to prevent such web sites from emerging in the future. 

"Internet hunting is an appalling form of trophy hunting, one that is opposed by sportsmen and animal welfare advocates alike," said Michael Markarian, HSUS executive vice president. "Traditional hunters know there's no sport in shooting an animal remotely while lying in bed and wearing camouflage pajamas. We urge lawmakers to quickly pass this bill into law and stop this egregious practice which amounts to nothing more than pay-per-view slaughter."

"There's no place in sportsmanship for a practice that kills with the click of a mouse," said Sen. Whitehouse, a member of the Senate committees on the Environment and Public Works and the Judiciary.  "I'm proud that Rhode Island is among the states that have banned Internet hunting.  It should never take place – and this bill will ensure it never does."

Sen. Whitehouse's legislation is co-sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.).  A House version of the bill, H.R. 2711, was introduced in June by Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Tom Davis (R-Va.), and is co-sponsored by some of the leading sportsmen's advocates in Congress, including Reps. Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.), Mike Thompson (D-Ca.), and Don Young (R-Alaska).

A map of states that have banned Internet hunting is available at:
hsus.org/web-files/PDF/internethunting_map.pdf

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 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.