Post by melody on Sept 15, 2014 23:31:20 GMT -5
GROUPS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF BILL TO BAN LIVE PIGEON SHOOTS
9/15/14
By Jeff Cox, PLS
Animal welfare advocates and organizations from across the Commonwealth conducted a Capitol Hill Rally today in support of legislation banning live pigeon shoots and the use of dog and cat meat in the Pennsylvania. House Bill 1750 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) relating to animal cruelty prohibiting the killing of a dog or cat meat for the purpose of human consumption and prohibiting a trap shoot or block shoot in which dogs, cats or other live animal or fowl are used as targets. The bill is now on the Senate Calendar for consideration by the full Senate.
Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny), prime sponsor of the legislation, commented that next week marks the 17th anniversary of his swearing-in as a member of the General Assembly. He noted the first bill on the first calendar he saw that day was a bill to ban live pigeon shoots. Rep. Maher said, “17 years later and that bill has still not received a vote.” He added, “On this question, it is long past due.” He asserted, “The question is not complicated. The answers are simple.” According to Rep. Maher the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that pigeon shoots were already illegal under existing animal cruelty laws. He explained that in the past 15 years district attorneys have expressed concerns that the existing laws are ambiguous. Rep. Maher commented, “In order to aid those district attorneys who I am sure wish to fight animal cruelty and in accordance with the Supreme Court’s clear decision that pigeon shoot are already illegal in Pennsylvania, it is right that our statutes be amended to be crystal clear.” He continued, “It is important to understand that this is not just about pigeons. This is about animals that are tied to a target; animals that are tethered to the ground; animals that are launched mechanically while still alive; and animals that are presented as targets immediately upon release from a cage.”
Rep Maher disputed the argument that the prohibition would impair the right to bear arms. He argued, “This bill done not infringe on any second amendment right.” He explained, “What this bill says is the right to bear arms does not grant permission to use them for cruelty.” Rep. Maher also argued that the bill “does not affect hunting at all.” He told the rally participants that he looks forward to a Senate vote on the legislation followed by a vote in the House.
Anne Irwin, Vice President, Federated Humane Societies of Pennsylvania, said passage of House Bill 750 is the top priority of the 64 member organizations in her group. She commented, “Our societies do not agree about everything but this is one piece of legislation we all agree on.” Irwin pointed out that when the federation was organized in 1906, the banning of live pigeon shoots was one of its top five issues of concern and is the only one that remains unresolved. Irwin said that what her group likes best about the legislation it that “it is a clear prohibition.” She concluded, “It’s time to get this done.”
Regarding the pigeon shoots, Sen. Daylin Leach (Montgomery) said that he spoke with friends who are hunters who told him, “This has nothing to do with hunting. This is an embarrassment.” He asserted, “People on all sides of the gun issue support preventing the cruelty that is embodied in these box shoots.” Sen. Leach commented. “This is just a slaughter. This is just barbaric. It is an embarrassment to Pennsylvania.”
Johnna Seeton, co-founder or the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network, said, “In my 26 years of trying to stop pigeon shoots through legislation and the court system, it has been an uphill fight all the way.” Seeton described the legislation as “absolutely necessary.” She told the rally participants, “This needs to become law now; It is the right thing to do.”
Charlene Wandzilak, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, observed, “It seems archaic that in 2014 Pennsylvania would have to still ban the practice of live pigeon shoots. A leisure activity and tradition that is medieval and barbaric.” She pointed out that animal welfare groups have been trying to put an end to live pigeon shoots since the early 1900s and that her group has supported legislation since 1987. Wandzilak also commented, “It is also incomprehensible we would need to outlaw the practice of using companion animals like dogs and cats for human consumption.” She continued, “In our culture we are proud to consider dogs and cats as companions.” Wandzilak said. The human/animal bond is undeniable and they have endeared themselves as important members of our families. She urged lawmakers to enact House Bill 1750.
Damon March, Chief Operating Officer for Humane Pennsylvania, asserted that “it is time to end these two barbaric practices.” He argued the legislation “is not an assault on gun ownership or hunting.” According to March, “Pigeon shoots insult hunting.” He pointed out the Pennsylvania Game Commission does not consider it a sport. March also noted that no other state allows live pigeon shoots. He joined the others in urging action by the legislature on the legislation.
Wayne Pacelle, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), told the rally, “It is time to have a vote on this issue.” He pointed out that over the past few years Louisiana passed a law outlawing cockfighting and South Carolina passed a law outlawing the practice of “bear baiting.” Pacelle commented, “Continuing this is shameful.”
9/15/14
By Jeff Cox, PLS
Animal welfare advocates and organizations from across the Commonwealth conducted a Capitol Hill Rally today in support of legislation banning live pigeon shoots and the use of dog and cat meat in the Pennsylvania. House Bill 1750 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) relating to animal cruelty prohibiting the killing of a dog or cat meat for the purpose of human consumption and prohibiting a trap shoot or block shoot in which dogs, cats or other live animal or fowl are used as targets. The bill is now on the Senate Calendar for consideration by the full Senate.
Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny), prime sponsor of the legislation, commented that next week marks the 17th anniversary of his swearing-in as a member of the General Assembly. He noted the first bill on the first calendar he saw that day was a bill to ban live pigeon shoots. Rep. Maher said, “17 years later and that bill has still not received a vote.” He added, “On this question, it is long past due.” He asserted, “The question is not complicated. The answers are simple.” According to Rep. Maher the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in 1999 that pigeon shoots were already illegal under existing animal cruelty laws. He explained that in the past 15 years district attorneys have expressed concerns that the existing laws are ambiguous. Rep. Maher commented, “In order to aid those district attorneys who I am sure wish to fight animal cruelty and in accordance with the Supreme Court’s clear decision that pigeon shoot are already illegal in Pennsylvania, it is right that our statutes be amended to be crystal clear.” He continued, “It is important to understand that this is not just about pigeons. This is about animals that are tied to a target; animals that are tethered to the ground; animals that are launched mechanically while still alive; and animals that are presented as targets immediately upon release from a cage.”
Rep Maher disputed the argument that the prohibition would impair the right to bear arms. He argued, “This bill done not infringe on any second amendment right.” He explained, “What this bill says is the right to bear arms does not grant permission to use them for cruelty.” Rep. Maher also argued that the bill “does not affect hunting at all.” He told the rally participants that he looks forward to a Senate vote on the legislation followed by a vote in the House.
Anne Irwin, Vice President, Federated Humane Societies of Pennsylvania, said passage of House Bill 750 is the top priority of the 64 member organizations in her group. She commented, “Our societies do not agree about everything but this is one piece of legislation we all agree on.” Irwin pointed out that when the federation was organized in 1906, the banning of live pigeon shoots was one of its top five issues of concern and is the only one that remains unresolved. Irwin said that what her group likes best about the legislation it that “it is a clear prohibition.” She concluded, “It’s time to get this done.”
Regarding the pigeon shoots, Sen. Daylin Leach (Montgomery) said that he spoke with friends who are hunters who told him, “This has nothing to do with hunting. This is an embarrassment.” He asserted, “People on all sides of the gun issue support preventing the cruelty that is embodied in these box shoots.” Sen. Leach commented. “This is just a slaughter. This is just barbaric. It is an embarrassment to Pennsylvania.”
Johnna Seeton, co-founder or the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network, said, “In my 26 years of trying to stop pigeon shoots through legislation and the court system, it has been an uphill fight all the way.” Seeton described the legislation as “absolutely necessary.” She told the rally participants, “This needs to become law now; It is the right thing to do.”
Charlene Wandzilak, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, observed, “It seems archaic that in 2014 Pennsylvania would have to still ban the practice of live pigeon shoots. A leisure activity and tradition that is medieval and barbaric.” She pointed out that animal welfare groups have been trying to put an end to live pigeon shoots since the early 1900s and that her group has supported legislation since 1987. Wandzilak also commented, “It is also incomprehensible we would need to outlaw the practice of using companion animals like dogs and cats for human consumption.” She continued, “In our culture we are proud to consider dogs and cats as companions.” Wandzilak said. The human/animal bond is undeniable and they have endeared themselves as important members of our families. She urged lawmakers to enact House Bill 1750.
Damon March, Chief Operating Officer for Humane Pennsylvania, asserted that “it is time to end these two barbaric practices.” He argued the legislation “is not an assault on gun ownership or hunting.” According to March, “Pigeon shoots insult hunting.” He pointed out the Pennsylvania Game Commission does not consider it a sport. March also noted that no other state allows live pigeon shoots. He joined the others in urging action by the legislature on the legislation.
Wayne Pacelle, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), told the rally, “It is time to have a vote on this issue.” He pointed out that over the past few years Louisiana passed a law outlawing cockfighting and South Carolina passed a law outlawing the practice of “bear baiting.” Pacelle commented, “Continuing this is shameful.”