Former Delaware Republican party Chair person, John C. Sigler, (pictured) suddenly and without warning resigned a few days ago. SHARK, Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, feels they are the reason behind the sudden move and have claimed success in their three-month campaign to oust the former politician over animal cruelty regarding live pigeon shoots.
Sigler says, “It is with deep regret and a profound disappointment that I must inform you that, due to newly emergent and totally unexpected circumstances that are completely beyond my control, I am unable to continue to serve you as the Chairman of the Republican State Committee of Delaware,” who was recently re-elected as GOP chairman.
While those in the political world were shocked and saddened to hear of the news on May 29th, SHARK is not. Could those totally unexpected circumstances have to do with Sigler being videotaped by SHARK on March 9 of this year as a participant at a pigeon shoot? See for yourself in this video SHARK took of Sigler. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h28NbX5s-GQ
SHARK continued with their campaign as Stu Chaifetz, SHARK rep, traveled to the Delaware State House on April 17th where Sigler was speaking at an National Rifle Association (NRA) rally. Sigler is a former NRA president.
Chaifetz approached Sigler after the rally and said the following: “You’ve been asked to resign as chair of the Delaware GOP because you’ve committed animal cruelty at pigeon shoots.” Sigler was also asked why he enjoyed shooting pigeons among other question asked by Mr. Chaifetz.
This, too, was filmed by SHARK. As you can see Sigler turns and walks away as Chaifetz proceeds with his questions. According to SHARK, this video has been placed on political websites and been viewed thousands of times on YOUTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRoMXgY64JU
On April 27th, Chaifetz and two other SHARK activists rented a room at the hotel where the Delaware GOP State Party convention was held. Chaifetz wore a shirt that said, “Only cowards torture animals-John Sigler:Resign from the Delaware GOP.”
Chaifetz positioned himself at the entrance to the convention room for 1 1/2 hrs. and spoke to attendees about the animal cruelty committed by Sigler and suggesting he should be asked to resign.
One month and two days later, SHARK now claims success on their goal to oust Mr. Sigler.
Steven Hindi, president of SHARK has made the following comment about Sigler’s resignation.
“We believe that the heat created by our protests is why Sigler has resigned,” states SHARK President Steve Hindi. “Sigler was just re-elected as chair at the convention. If this were really because of a “business” decision, as he claims, then he would have known about it a month ago. The truth is that an overwhelming majority of people, including Republicans, Democrats, NRA members, even hunters, are appalled at the vicious and senseless cruelty that occur at live pigeon shoots. Sigler is gone because he disgraced himself and his party.”
Mr. Sigler plans to remain active in the Republican party nationwide and in Delaware. His affiliation with the NRA is quite problematic to many. The NRA supports live pigeon shoots. In fact, they have sent out notices to their members to call their legislators when votes have been scheduled to ban live pigeon shoots in PA.
The NRA believes pigeon shooting is a “historic and legitimate activity steeped in tradition.” ” The participants are law-abiding, ethical shooting enthusiasts, hunters, and sportsmen who would not tolerate an activity that would constitute cruelty to animals.”
Most hunters I’ve spoken to who also belong to the NRA are against pigeon shoots. Many find them appalling and say what is quite clear to the masses- using live pigeons in shoots constitutes cruelty and they would never participate at one. Most shooters do not come from PA. The bottomline for pigeon shoots is about money. It is not for the meat. It would be illogical to say it is a sport. A sport is defined as a competitive physical activity governed by rules to ensure fair competition. There is nothing fair about killing pigeons stuffed in a box waiting to be sprung and shot. That sure isn’t hunting either. But, the NRA supports pigeon shoots and Mr. Sigler is a former president and current active member.
A definite conflict of interest.
Mr. Sigler’s resignation comes on the heels of Bob Barker’s video being released to state officials vehemently protesting live pigeon shoots in PA. SHARK plans to use Mr. Barker’s video to persuade lawmakers to pass SB 510- Ban Live Pigeon Shoots.
Looks like their hard work and campaign are working.
I’m impressed with SHARK’s work. They sure have their eyes on the target. It does seem we’re making some headway. This is great news! Finally. Thank you.
What a smug man. You think they care and look at what they do. Kill birds for the hell of it. Good riddens.
One down, how many more to go? These shoots are so disgusting. This sounds like something is actually being done. I don’t see SHARK looking for glory like the HSUS does!
No one starts this position to only quit a very short time later. It wasn’t a personal issue. He felt the pressure to get out of there. I know NRA members who believe pigeon shoots are animal cruelty. It’s a small number who don’t think it is and they talk for all of them. I bet many hunters don’t even know about pigeon shoots.
Proud of you, SHARK! Keep up the hard work!
The NRA is not going to give up their fight against live pigeon shoots. They know if they do that, these groups will go after all types of hunting and they won’t allow that to happen.
Keep the pressure on! It’s working!
Dirty politics as usual. Why does this not surprise me? Get em, SHARK!
Politics as usual. Who would have thunk it? 🙂
Hunters don’t believe in live pigeon shoots. Part of the reason we like to hunt is to be in the outdoors exploring and relishing nature as crazy as that may sound to some.
Some of us aren’t in for only the ‘kill’. We love nature. Part of nature is the wildlife. When we do kill, we use the meat to feed our families.
There is a huge difference between hunting and how you get your meat from stores. The animals that are slaughtered for stores are abused and live in tiny quarters and rarely see the day of light. They are kept that way for profit only.
Before you condemn hunters, think about the next fork full of meat you put in your mouth. Think about how the animal lived before getting to your plate.
Hunting is more humane than store meat.
Hunters don’t believe in live pigeon shoots. Part of the reason we like to hunt is to be in the outdoors exploring and relishing nature as crazy as that may sound to some.
Some of us aren’t in for only the ‘kill’. We love nature. Part of nature is the wildlife. When we do kill, we use the meat to feed our families.
There is a huge difference between hunting and how you get your meat from stores. The animals that are slaughtered for stores are abused and live in tiny quarters and rarely see the day of light. They are kept that way for profit only.
Before you condemn hunters, think about the next fork full of meat you put in your mouth. Think about how the animal lived before getting to your plate.
Hunting is more humane than store meat.
For Stu: Is Bob Barker’s video making a difference in people in PA? This is backwards state. Is the video he made educating anyone? Can you ask him that?
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, but I actually thought youd have some thing intriguing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about some thing which you could fix in the event you werent too busy searching for attention.
I think SHARK is doing a great job!