House Bill 1097 to ban barbaric pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Perry Warren, has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee after securing strong bipartisan support and numerous co-sponsors. At this point, it would be most helpful to contact members of the Judiciary Committee and urge them to bring up the bill for a vote. To contact the committee, please visit the following link: www.upc-online.org/pa-hb1097.

Live pigeon shoots are barbaric bloodsports that inflict needless terror, pain, and death on defenseless birds. These terrified pigeons—often stolen from city streets—are released mid-air only to be riddled with bullets. Many are left wounded, suffering slowly from broken necks, crushed skulls, or worse. This is cruelty masquerading as entertainment, a shameful practice that must end.

This bill defines a summary offense for individuals who willfully organize, operate, conduct, or knowingly permit a premises to be used for a contest or event where live pigeons are used as targets for amusement or as a test of skill in marksmanship. While HB 1097 leaves existing hunting and certain animal training activities untouched, its passage would still represent a significant step forward in protecting pigeons. New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera wrote to Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Rep. Matt Bradford, stressing that the bill’s passage would also help curb the illegal trafficking of pigeons from New York into Pennsylvania for these cruel events.

• Please visit www.upc-online.org/pa-hb1097 to contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee and urge them to bring up HB1097 for a vote.

• For more information about pigeons, please read The “Human” Nature of Pigeons.

Photo by Karen Benzel

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