Famed former game-show host of “The Price is Right” and long-time animal rights advocate, Bob Barker, is lending his voice and has teamed up with SHARK, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, to call an end to the horrific and barbaric live pigeon shoots held in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania animal advocates have been fighting the battle to end live pigeon shoots for more than two decades. Advocates are hoping Mr. Barker can be the impetus to help end this barbaric, cruel “sport.”
According to a press release I received from SHARK, Mr. Barker was so appalled at the cruel mass slaughters, he has released a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfPHvSJLuPc) urging Pennsylvania state legislators to pass Senate Bill 510, authored by Senator Patrick Browne, which seeks to ban live pigeon shoots.
In the video, Mr. Barker states “live pigeon shoots are “horrific acts of animal cruelty” and “pigeon shoots are Pennsylvania’s shame.” How true this statement is, Mr. Barker! Now, it’s time to convince our legislators.
The video has been sent to state officials. Officials will see horrific images of maimed and dying victims of live pigeon shoots. Some birds are shown drowning in the Delaware River after being shot at the Philadelphia Gun Club in Bensalem, PA.
This isn’t the first time Mr. Barker has gotten involved with PA’s shame. He sent letters urging Attorney General Linda Kelly and Governor Tom Corbett to enforce PA Humane Law 5511 against pigeon shoot participants.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation to openly and regularly hold pigeon shoots. What does that say about the Keystone State?
SHARK has launched a new anti-pigeon shoot campaign- to pass SB 510. They plan to contact all 203 members of the PA State House and 50 State Senators to urge them to not only support SB 510 but pass this bill to end the antiquated and cruel “sport” of live pigeon shoots in PA.
SHARK is planning a public tour across PA featuring the Bob Barker Video in order to not only educate but motivate the public on the issue. The citizens of PA need to know what is happening in their state at private hunting and gun clubs.
People of Pennsylvania need to understand hundreds of thousands of birds, some captured from city streets and some bred specifically for live pigeon shoots are used annually to die a slow death from their wounds. Some die from exposure, predation, dehydration, and starvation. Some birds are stomped on, kicked, swung by their necks to break them and/or decapitated, or smashed against objects.
This is what happens at live pigeon shoots. Do YOU want this to continue?
Because PA’s humane law 5511 does not specifically ban the animal abuse that occurs at pigeon shoots, certain district attorneys claim the shoots are not illegal, according to SHARK’S press release. Steve Hindi, president of SHARK counters with, “5511 also does not specifically state that you cannot throw a puppy out of a third story window, although that would obviously be cruel and would obviously be prosecuted.”
He continues, “5511 doesn’t say you can’t hold a puppy shoot, but that is of course also illegal. It is for these compromised officials that a pigeon shoot specific law must be passed.”
How can we have a law against animal cruelty but allow these shooters to use pigeons as objects to shoot, maim or as one video depicts, have teenagers slam their live, damaged bodies against a barrel? The pigeons are not eaten. They are dumped in a pile with some still alive. Their sole purpose is to be flung from a spring box to be shot. Period. There is no purpose for the shoots other than that. Most hunters I’ve spoken to don’t recognize this as hunting. How can anyone else? How can legislators allow this to continue?
These shoots are inhumane and cruel. It takes public pressure to change laws. SHARK is on the road to doing just that. Every call, letter, or email you send to a state official makes a difference.
Will you stand up for the pigeons?
So glad to know the HSUS isn’t part of this. They’d be in it for the money. Give us your money so we can look like heroes! Please. SHARK seems determined from everything I’m reading. Seems like a lost cause in backwards Pennsylvania but I’m not giving up yet. This program sounds really good and I’m hoping it will end these barbaric shoots.
I find these shoots deplorable and ashamed to live in PA where our lawmakers refuse to stop them. They won’t allow our humane officers to citate them for animal abuse. What is wrong with PA?
Glad to hear SHARK has launched this program with Barker’s help. I’m behind you Steve. I know some people think you’re radical, Steve. The people of PA are afraid of controversy and you cause others to be afraid. Instead of doing what’s right, they’ll attack you. Don’t listen to them.
Hopefully, PA can finally get rid of these horrible shoots that kill innocent birds. This has never been a sport but a killing spree for no reason. Those who participate can’t see it but those of us who care know the difference.
Hopefully Bob Barker can make a difference in our legislators’ eyes!!! We need his help!
Hunters kill their prey to eat the meat. Pigeons are killed to kill them. Nothing else. No other reason. Some are so badly injured and then they step on them until they die. Hunters don’t consider this hunting and most frown upon it. Why don’t the shooters understand what they’re doing is abuse? I don’t get it. Can anyone explain this to me?
So happy to hear this. I don’t want to get my hopes up too high but this sounds promising for once! We needed something like this to be done. No more live pigeon shoots. PA is so behind when it comes to animal cruelty. How can anyone think pigeon shoots are ok? I know those who kill them do. They could care less about what happens to the pigeons. Starve them, maim them, slam them, stomp on them, slam them, swing their heads….they don’t give a damn that it’s a live animal. Let’s see what they would think if someone did that to them. I’m not suggesting that but they don’t get that this IS animal cruelty and the higher-ups won’t enforce any charges. I’m ashamed of PA and how we treat animals.
Woo-hoo! YAY!!
Wow, finally, something that sounds concrete to stop live pigeon shoots. Thank you, Bob Barker! Thank you, SHARK! I’m behind you all the way!! I will do what I can as well. No more pigeon shoots. NO more animal cruelty.
I think this is a superb idea!
I’m a hunter and don’t believe in using pigeons for target shooting. That’s why they make clay pigeons. These people are morons for doing what they do. Despite being a hunter and knowing people don’t like what I do, I don’t condone what these idiots do. I use my kills for meat and give it to needy people too. The pigeons are used for nothing except entertainment purposes.
I’m so disgusted by pigeon shoots. They make no sense to me.
Good luck SHARK and Bob Barker. I always liked Bob Barker since he started telling audiences to spay and neuter their pets.
I’m in agreement with most of the other commenters. PA needs this push and campaign! I have to agree with Lisa that PA is backwards when it comes to animal abuse. There’s a reason people think this is a redneck state. Those who shoot and kill for the thrill of it….you know you’re a redneck!
I agree with the others. I see this as a positive for pigeons. Can’t believe Bob Barker is helping with this. Hope we can finally change the stigma of live pigeon shoots in PA!
I am just satisfied that you shared this handy information and facts around. Remember to keep us current such as this. Thank you for discussing.
Ironically, Bob Barker’s show was “The Price Is Right”. In this state, that seems to be the rule of legislation to protect animals. If you’ve got the lobbying money, then you get the legislation. Let’s see if some star power is what is needed to wake these guys up – finally. The need to do right and protect animals certainly hasn’t guided them so far – let’s see if this works.