WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States today applauded Pennsylvania Representative Jacqueline Crahalla and 35 cosponsors for introducing H.B. 2998, legislation to ban live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. Live pigeon shoots are outdated events in which participants kill thousands of birds for fun and prizes.
"We are pleased at the introduction of this needed legislation that would close a contentious chapter of Pennsylvania's history," said Heidi Prescott, senior vice president for The HSUS.
Representative Crahalla stated, "Live pigeons shoots are banned in nearly every state except Pennsylvania. Real hunters don't shoot pigeons, and it's time we end these barbaric events once and for all."
Stockpiled for months prior to a shoot, pigeons are released one at time to be shot from 30 yards away. A one-day shoot typically kills 5,000 animals, with children and participants taking to the field in past shoots to rip the heads off wounded animals and beat others against the ground.
Prescott added, "Live pigeon shoots can easily be replaced by clay shoots. Pigeon shoots wound up to 70 percent of the animals, and there's no reason to perpetuate these cruel events for a handful of extremists."
Recently, The HSUS assisted the Covington Township in Lackawanna County to stop a three-day pigeon shoot in their community. After receiving countless calls from outraged residents, the Board of Supervisors and the Township's attorney worked around the clock with HSUS attorneys to enjoin the event. Prior to going to court, the organizers cancelled the event.
In 1999, the nationally notorious Hegins shoot in Schuylkill County was cancelled after a unanimous Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision allowing humane officers to prosecute shoot participants for animal cruelty. Now, only a handful of shoots remain, acting as a reminder that pigeon shoots are still a black mark on Pennsylvania's humane record.
Prescott concluded, "We praise Representative Crahalla and the Legislature for addressing live pigeon shoots. Communities should no longer have to fight to keep out-of-state individuals from using tame animals as live targets in their backyards."
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing nearly 10 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country. On the web at www.hsus.org.
