In anticipation of the largest pigeon shoot of the year in Pennsylvania, The Humane Society of the United States is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of people who commit acts of animal cruelty before, during or after live pigeon shoots.
The "Calcutta" shoot will reportedly take place July 31 through Aug. 4. Event participants will kill or wound 4,000 to 6,000 birds in a competition to kill the most birds within a ring for prizes. A typical shoot targets 1,000 birds.
"Pennsylvania is the last state to openly host these cruel and frivolous events that are on par with other bloodsports like dogfighting and cockfighting that disgrace our culture," stated 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."
The HSUS expects the Calcutta shoot to increase the demand for New York City pigeons as live targets. The HSUS is advertising a $2,500 reward for information related to trafficking of New York birds to supply shoots. The HSUS hosted a meeting last week with New York City citizens concerned about pigeons illegally netted in the city and distributed cameras so individuals could photograph any illegal pigeon capture in progress.
The HSUS also requested that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture monitor the trafficking of pigeons used for the shoot due to disease and crowding concerns. No governing body verifies how many birds are shipped into the state, the conditions of their transport or their sources. In the past, the birds have come from New York City and other unknown sources.
Individuals with information may call the toll-free live pigeon shoot tip line at 1-800-637-4124. Individuals may request to remain anonymous.
Background:
- During live pigeon 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.
- During past live pigeon shoots, participants have beaten pigeons against barrels, buried wounded animals with dead ones in containers and abandoned wounded animals.
- The HSUS is actively pursuing litigation and legislation in Pennsylvania to end pigeon shoots.
The HSUS works to stop wildlife abuse across the country. Visit humanesociety.org/wildlifeabuse for more information.
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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.
