This morning, I attended an emergency hearing at the Berks County courthouse brought forth by PA Humane Officer Johnna Seeton against Winge Pointe Hunting Resort-infamously known for their live pigeon shoots in Berks County, PA.
As I listened attentively to the lawyers and judge, it was apparent the Animal Welfare Law regarding animal cruelty- Title 18: Crimes and Offenses, section 5511, listed under the Pennsylvania Cruelty to Animals Statutes was at the center of the converation between both sides. Each side was questioning the interpretation of this section as it relates to cruelty to animals.
It clearly states in this law a person commits a summary offense if he wantonly or cruelly illtreats, overloads, otherwise abuse any animal, or neglects any animal as to which he has a duty of care, whether belonging to himself or otherwise.
The question is how do you interpret this passage. The defendant’s side, in my estimation, was questioning whether a pigeon in a shoot should be considered as a animal that someone may hunt and if so, no animal cruelty laws should apply. Ms. Seeton’s lawyer said in a “sport” (hunting), the animal has to have some sort of chance. As we know, pigeons have no escape when sprung from boxes or towers directly in front of them while participants quickly shoot at them. The vast majority of hunters concede that live pigeon shoots shouldn’t be miscontrued with hunting.
Berks County Judge Timothy Rowley who presided over the hearing asked both sides to enter into a back room while a handful of us waited in the courtroom.
As we waited, I spoke with Johnna. She said in her 26 years of witnessing pigeon shoots, the abuse she saw on September 30th’s tower shoot at Winge Pointe was, by far, the worst she has encountered. She said the images of pigeons being stomped on and thrown so violently to the ground are etched in her memory.
When the judge and the lawyers entered the quiet courtroom, we heard a soundbite of Judge Scott’s Lash’s order being enforced and this case would be handed over to another judge. The hearing was finished.
So what does this mean? The order in question by Judge Scott Lash was prepared in 2002 and it relates directly to pigeon shoots. In it, it states, “at no time shall anyone kick, swing, stomp or otherwise abuse any bird.”
Thus far, this order has not been enforced by police or Berks County District Attorney,John Adams. Adams was quoted as saying he does not make the law, he enforces it and he will enforce this code as it relates to pigeon shoots, as told to me by Steve Hindi, president of SHARK, while we spoke outside of the courtroom. Mr. Hindi also clearly stated and is one the record as saying that DA John Adams is a crook for not doing his job.
Winge Pointe plans to hold another pigeon shoot this weekend. A call to the Berks County DA by me to find out if he will enforce this order has gone unanswered.
Will Berks County DA, John Adams enforce Judge Lash’s order as it pertains to the pigeon shoot this weekend? We’ll have to wait and see. I won’t hold my breath.
What do you expect?