Appellate Court states: “It is truly shocking that live, not clay, pigeons are catapulted into the air for target practice”.
Another Labor Day weekend is upon us with another live pigeon shoot happening during this holiday. Once upon a time, these Labor Day shoots were held in Hegins, PA. Now the “hot place” is too close to my own “back yard.”
Winge Pointe Hunting Resort, Shoemakersville, home of the live pigeon shoots in Berks County, PA, is the place where “men” from surrounding states shoot/maim/kill pigeons that are launched into the sky.
According to SHARK, “In violation of Pennsylvania Humane Law 5511,Wing Pointe Canned Hunt Club will be holding an illegal three-day pigeon shoot. Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) will be there documenting this illegal cruelty and the violators of this law. SHARK continues to state the following: In his dissenting opinion, Judge McGinley states: “That District Attorney (John) Adams’ (Berks County) decision to withdraw the Citations (of animal cruelty) was based, not on his “prosecutorial discretion,” but on an error of law”. “That is, he did not believe the conduct alleged, if accepted as true, was unlawful under the Animal Cruelty Law, when in fact, it is”. “The problem was – his version of the law was incorrect.” “District Attorney Adams decided not to prosecute based on legal error”. “Pennsylvania courts have held that “the mishandling of wounded and injured pigeons at a live pigeon shoot is criminally actionable”.
There appears to be a misinterpretation of the law. Who is correct? There must be clear, definite ruling in order to not only solve this important issue but to move forward and put this issue to rest. More importantly, we need this ruling so the cruelty inflicted upon the pigeons ceases to exist.
Winge Pointe’s last shoot was held on August 2-5, 2012. Seven days after that shoot, a wounded, emaciated pigeon was found on neighboring property. “One of Emily’s legs was broken, and the other leg shot while additional shot gun pellets riddled her fragile body. After receiving veterinary care, SHARK took her to a wildlife rehabilitator. Sadly, due to the enormous suffering she went through, she passed away the next day.”
This is the norm not the exception for these injured pigeons due to these despicable shoots.
SHARK Rep, Stu Chaifetz, had openly challenged District Attorney, John Adams, to a debate on my tv show. SHARK also wants to hold a live, public debate with the National Rifle Associaton’s (NRA) about their support of these shoots. SHARK is willing to hold this debate anytime, anywhere. They’re also willing to streamline it online.
My offer to host a debate on my tv show is open to DA Adams, the NRA and SHARK. Feel free to contact me at tevangelistaepp@yahoo.com to work out the details. This will be a fair debate with time limits so no one can monopolize another’s response.
For more information and video of these illegal, live pigeon shoots, go to: paSHAME.com and NRAcruelty.com.