Bucks County is home to a cruel and primitive practice that most Pennsylvanians believe belongs in the past: live pigeon shoots, held at the Philadelphia Gun Club in Bensalem. While the vast majority of states have outlawed this cruelty, legislative loopholes and political maneuvering have allowed it to continue in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1097 seeks to finally close this shameful chapter by banning live pigeon shoots statewide.
The most compelling argument against live pigeon shoots is the profound animal cruelty inherent in the practice. The pigeons are launched from spring-loaded boxes just 30 yards from shooters, leaving them with little chance of survival or escape. Observers report that a significant percentage of birds are not killed outright but are wounded and left to suffer. After each round, wounded birds are retrieved, often by untrained youths, who employ gruesome and inhumane methods of euthanasia.
There is a superior alternative to live bird shooting — clay pigeon shooting, which allows participants to focus on the spirit of competition and accuracy without the sacrifice of life.
The movement to ban live pigeon shoots is supported by a broad coalition of veterinarians, hunters and concerned citizens. Despite this, legislative action has been repeatedly stymied by special interest lobbying and campaign contributions.
It is time to end live pigeon shoots once and for all. Please contact your state representative and senator and demand they take immediate action by stating their support for HB 1097. Make your voice heard .
Victor M. Verbeke
Harleysville, Montgomery County