Take Action to End Decades of Needless Cruelty

Do you know that in Pennsylvania it’s not only legal but considered a sport to release tame pigeons to be shot as soon as they fly out of their cages? This is “sport”. I know plenty of hunters who would sooner be shot themselves than to needlessly shoot any tame animal shot just for marksmanship. A ban on this practice was NOT passed last year, so this shoot will go on again this fall. The Humane USA PA PAC urges you to contact your representative with your opposition using the link included in the article below. If you’re not in Pennsylvania, contact any animal lover you know in Pennsylvania and tell them to get to it. Photo courtesy Humane USA PA PAC on Facebook

by Humane USA PA PAC on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 7:23am

Labor Day marks the beginning of pigeon shoot season in Pennsylvania. Because the legislature again has not acted yet again, tens of thousands of birds will suffer this fall and winter. These cruel contests have to end – the animal suffering from just one shoot is pathetic and these shoots go on at least twice a month!

Currently there is legislation that would put an end to live pigeon shoots in the last state where they are openly practiced – Pennsylvania legislators need to continue to hear from constituents! The Judiciary Committee has not released the bill, so compassionate legislators are working to amend it.

Please take a moment to email your state representative and state senator to urge support and a vote for legislation or ammendments that would end live pigeon shoots, and stop the use of animals launched from traps or tethered for target practice. We’ve made it easy for you by linking to an alert – just click here

If you do not know what a ‘live pigeon shoot’ entails:

• Live pigeons are released from boxes called “traps” to be shot from 30 yards away
• Five traps are lined up in front of the competitor
• Sometimes electrified to make the tame birds fly, the traps pop open one at a time in a random sequence.
• The shooter gets points for each shot bird who lands within a large ring. After each round, participants – sometimes children – collect wounded and dead animals.
• If the suffering pigeon is still alive, the collector will sometimes cut the birds head off with gardening shears, snap the animal’s head off or slam her against the ground before tossing the animal into a barrel full of dead and dying pigeons.
• Often, wounded birds make it outside the ring to the surrounding area and suffer for days before succumbing to their injuries

The only shoots known to occur regularly are in Pennsylvania. Time is running out, and we need your help to finally pass this bill.  Thank you.