Group Urges Speedy Passage in State Senate
WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal welfare group, applauded the Illinois state House of Representatives for overwhelmingly passing a bill to ban the practice of killing live animals over the Internet.
House Bill 201, introduced by state Rep. Dan Reitz (D-116th), prohibits so-called "Internet hunting," which has drawn the ire of both animal welfare advocates and sportsmen's groups. Under the bill, which passed 117 to 0, Illinois would become the 26th state to prevent the use of remotely operated devices to hunt animals or birds.
"The Humane Society of the United States applauds Rep. Reitz and his colleagues in the House for taking such fast action to end this pay-per-view slaughter," said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS. "Traditional hunters know there's no sport in shooting an animal remotely while lying in bed and wearing camouflage pajamas. We urge the Illinois Senate to quickly pass this bill into law and snuff out this snuff film scenario."
The controversial practice originated in Texas with the launch of a web site, www.Live-Shot.com, that allowed so-called hunters to pay a fee and shoot captive animals on an exotic game ranch from many miles away with the click of a mouse or the few strokes of a keyboard. The HSUS has been active in advocating for legislation to combat Internet hunting – there are now 25 states, including Texas, that ban the practice.
Hunting via the Internet involves signing up on the web site and paying a deposit and fees of more than $1,500 to schedule a session. The final cost depends on the species and size of the animal killed and the cost of having the trophy mounted and shipped to the hunter's home. The hunter then logs on again at an appointed time and watches a feeding station on his computer screen. The animal ordered is present in the area, herded in front of the camera by on-site employees, and when the animal approaches the food, the hunter uses his mouse to line the victim up in the on-screen crosshairs. A click of the mouse fires the rifle.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with nearly 10 million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy and field work. The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at www.humanesociety.org.
