Last weekend, Winge Pointe Hunting Resort located in Perry Township, Berks County, PA, was the scene of not only violent behavior toward unsuspecting pigeons who were sprung from boxes and shot but also violence, once again, toward activists of SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness). This isn’t the first time that members of Winge Pointe have been violent towards SHARK activists. The president of SHARK, Steve Hindi, was struck by a vehicle driven by a worker from Winge Pointe’s restaurant earlier this year. The driver purposely had driven out of his way to hit Hindi at the entrance of Winge Pointe on Rt. 662. I had been at the scene approximately 15 minutes prior to this incident. I had been asked to leave by police and abided with their request. The charges were listed as summary offenses against the driver with a small pittance. Not too bad for putting someone’s life in danger.
According to SHARK’s press release, Steve has also had a bucket of water thrown at him from a moving pick-up truck and was hit with a metal-tipped dog leash that gave him a bloody head wound. They’ve also sprayed liquid manure in the direction of SHARK activists. Notice a pattern?
SHARK does a tremendous job of filming these barbaric pigeon shoots which are held openly in the last state in the nation to do so. The reason I appreciate SHARK’s work is their determination and relentless fight to stop the antiquated and cruel “sport” of live pigeon shoots in PA. Live pigeon shoots should have been outlawed a long time ago. They keep fighting for what is right despite what others may think of their methodology in doing so.
According to Stu Chaivetz, SHARK investigator and a guest on my tv show, ” One of the Winge Pointe shooters driving a golf cart spit on the ground just a few feet in front of him.” He continues to say that “another shooter drove his large SUV right at him, and stopped abruptly just a couple of feet in front of him. Stu says they knew where SHARK activists would be and showed how angry they (shooters) were. ”
If you look at the above photo, you will see a razor sharp spike stuck in a tire belonging to a vehicle owned by SHARK. This was one of multipe spikes stuck in two of their vehicles. These same type of spikes were also found on a portion of grass where SHARK activists normally stand. One of the volunteers stepped on one. Her shoe had a large, solid heel and was not harmed. Had it been a regular sneaker or a sandal, think of the injuries she would’ve incurred.
This isn’t going to be the last time Winge Pointe members will attack SHARK activists. Why? According to what Stu told me, the police were called and all they did was file a report. No arrests were made. No arrests are ever made when it comes to members purposely hurting the activists. The police are quite aware of the shoots and the people who come to rally against them at Winge Pointe. That’s why they were there the day I was asked to leave. FYI- Two police cruisers pulled up behind me. I did nothing wrong but was asked to leave. As I have said before, I didn’t know my rights and left the scene that day- a mistake on my part.
The police are quite aware of SHARK’s presence at Winge Pointe. I was asked if I was “one of them.”
Despite what injuries are caused by members of Winge Pointe, the police do nothing except for handing out a summary offense and fine. What will it take for the police to take these actions seriously?
SHARK is there to show the world the truth about live pigeon shoots. It is savagely cruel. Pigeons are injured, maimed and die a slow death at the hands of these so-called shooters. The pigeons aren’t even used for their meat. They are dumped in a pile. Period. All hunters I’ve spoken to are against this practice of “trying to kill an animal.”
So what will Winge Pointe do next? Trust me, there will be a next time. If police don’t do anything, the message is being sent out loud and clear that it’s okay to hurt or worse, possibly cause an accident generating a blow-out. “Does someone have to die before the authorities take action?”, asks Steve Hindi, president of SHARK.
A letter has been sent by SHARK to Frank Noonan, Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, demanding a full investigation be undertaken and that the State Police finally take the the ongoing violence against the activists seriously.
We’ll wait and see what Mr. Noonan decides. I hope he is a man of reason and will take these acts of violence with a resolute attitude. I will keep you updated.