Bill Bans Live Pigeons Shoots

BENSALEM, Pa. -- As a Bucks County lawmaker’s bill to ban live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania moves closer to full passage, a Bensalem Township gun club apparently continues to schedule the controversial practice at its site along the Delaware River.

State Rep. Perry Warren’s bill passed the House Judiciary Committee and now awaits full passage. If adopted, the measure would amend the state’s criminal code to include live pigeon shoots.

“Dog fighting, cock fighting and greyhound racing have already been prohibited in Pennsylvania,” said Warren, D-31, representing Upper and Lower Makefield townships, Yardley Borough, Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. “In 2017, even possessing the implements to raise or train an animal for death in the name of gambling became illegal. Yet, pigeon shoots are presently exempted from Pennsylvania animal cruelty law.”

Advocates for animal rights, including Heidi Prescott, senior vice president, Humane Society of the United States, have long condemned the shoots.

“Shoot clay, not pigeons,” she said.

The only live pigeon shoot in Bucks County is hosted several times annually by the Philadelphia Gun Club at its 3051 State Rd., Bensalem site along the Delaware River. The legal but controversial practice is where birds are raised in captivity strictly to be shot in competition. Critics argue the events offer minimal sport and contrast sharply with traditional hunting. Injured birds are often left to suffer and eventually die.

A Philadelphia Gun Club spokespersons could not be reached. Bit according to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network organization, the Philadelphia Gun Club has used its site for 132 years.

“The Club hosts at least 12 regular, day-long trap shoot meets for its members each and every year,” said the organization.

The bipartisan H.B. 2139 does not impact “fair chase” hunting and training activities nor does it impact Second Amendment rights, according to a judiciary committee staff analyst.

Warren said the bill is overdue in Pennsylvania.

“It is far past time for our commonwealth to fully and finally end evets which bet on the lives of animals by ending live pigeon shoots,” he said.

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Proposed bill bans live pigeon shoots.Photo byZac OngonUnsplash