Health Officer Exterminates Wrong Birds in NJ
It was NY parks commissioner Thomas P. F. Hoving who dubbed pigeons "rats with wings," a term that fourteen years later was popularized by Woody Allen in his 1980 flick “Stardust Memories.” So surely there's some blood on their hands in the war on the pigeon community in New York (only recently was a National Pigeon Day established to combat the haters).
There are a lot of pigeons around though, and everything from Robo-Hawk to Pigeon Czars have been considered in controlling the population, but it's sort of rare that we hear the words "pigeon extermination." Turns out some folks across the Hudson (specifically, Fort Lee Health Officer Steven Wielkotz) turned to the chemical Avitrol "to get rid of more than 100 pigeons that descended on the area around town hall two months ago," according to WCBS. Avitrol, by the way, "kills the pigeons by first causing them to suffer seizures and then cardiac arrest."
Wielkotz's master plan to wipe out the pigeons didn't quite go as planned, however, because the grackles ate the seed instead. 30 of those birds have since died—and Mayor Mark Sokolich says children were seen trying to save the dying birds.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Pigeons -- the most intelligent of the bird species
Birds of a feather drink together: The three clever pigeons who help each other sup from a water fountain
They obviously have a better class of pigeon Down Under.
Instead of pecking around on the filthy pavements among cigarette butts and chewing gum, they prefer to sip filtered water and go to great lengths for a bath.
The trio pictured in the article, in Brisbane, Queensland, appear to have worked out a clever system of adapting the water fountain built by humans for their own pigeon purposes.
Coo-l: drink: As one pigeon sucks up water (left), another stands on the lever (right) and the third keeps watch
After waiting for the fountain to be free, one bird jumped on the lever and pushed it down to fill up the bowl, while another kept watch and the third splashed in.
When it had drunk its fill and cleaned its feathers, the third pigeon hopped up to the handle and let his friends have a go.
The three birds continued their bathing ritual for ten minutes, entertaining passers-by in Post Office Square, in Brisbane's bustling business district.
Unlike other birds, who take a sip of water and throw back their heads to swallow, pigeons suck up water using their beaks like straws.
Though they aren't very popular in this part of the world and are referred to as rats of the sky, pigeons - even the English ones - are considered among the most intelligent of all the bird species.
They obviously have a better class of pigeon Down Under.
Instead of pecking around on the filthy pavements among cigarette butts and chewing gum, they prefer to sip filtered water and go to great lengths for a bath.
The trio pictured in the article, in Brisbane, Queensland, appear to have worked out a clever system of adapting the water fountain built by humans for their own pigeon purposes.
Coo-l: drink: As one pigeon sucks up water (left), another stands on the lever (right) and the third keeps watch
After waiting for the fountain to be free, one bird jumped on the lever and pushed it down to fill up the bowl, while another kept watch and the third splashed in.
When it had drunk its fill and cleaned its feathers, the third pigeon hopped up to the handle and let his friends have a go.
The three birds continued their bathing ritual for ten minutes, entertaining passers-by in Post Office Square, in Brisbane's bustling business district.
Unlike other birds, who take a sip of water and throw back their heads to swallow, pigeons suck up water using their beaks like straws.
Though they aren't very popular in this part of the world and are referred to as rats of the sky, pigeons - even the English ones - are considered among the most intelligent of all the bird species.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Reading the Brains of Pigeons in Flight
New York Times
June 30, 2009
Observatory
Reading the Brains of Pigeons in Flight
By HENRY FOUNTAIN
Ever wonder what goes on inside the minds of pigeons?
No? Researchers in Europe have.
Alexei L. Vyssotski of the University of Zurich and colleagues have studied the brain activity of homing pigeons as they fly over visual landmarks.
How homing pigeons find their way back to a starting point is not completely known. Studies have shown that the birds variously use the position of the sun and the earth’s magnetic field as a compass, and sense of smell and visual cues as navigation aids. But the use of visual cues has been difficult to study, because if a bird flies over a landmark and doesn’t change its course, it’s impossible to know whether the bird has not perceived the cue or is ignoring it.
The researchers developed tiny neurologgers, to record electrical activity in the pigeons’ brains as they flew. The birds also carried small global positioning system units to track position. By matching brain activity to location, the researchers could determine the effect of flying over a landmark.
The birds’ flights began over water, a relatively featureless environment, and then continued over land to a homing point. This enabled the researchers to determine brain activity as the birds reached the coastline and then flew over other landmarks.
They found that activity in both high- and mid-range frequencies occurred as the birds passed over a landmark. The researchers, who reported their findings in Current Biology, suggest that the mid-range frequencies are linked to the perception of visual information, while the high-frequency activity may be related to cognitive processing — perhaps the recognition of a landmark as something the bird has seen before.
The researchers also observed strong brain activity at two rural locations where there were no significant landmarks. On visiting the sites, the researchers found that both had colonies of wild pigeons, which was probably what caught the homing pigeons’ interest.
June 30, 2009
Observatory
Reading the Brains of Pigeons in Flight
By HENRY FOUNTAIN
Ever wonder what goes on inside the minds of pigeons?
No? Researchers in Europe have.
Alexei L. Vyssotski of the University of Zurich and colleagues have studied the brain activity of homing pigeons as they fly over visual landmarks.
How homing pigeons find their way back to a starting point is not completely known. Studies have shown that the birds variously use the position of the sun and the earth’s magnetic field as a compass, and sense of smell and visual cues as navigation aids. But the use of visual cues has been difficult to study, because if a bird flies over a landmark and doesn’t change its course, it’s impossible to know whether the bird has not perceived the cue or is ignoring it.
The researchers developed tiny neurologgers, to record electrical activity in the pigeons’ brains as they flew. The birds also carried small global positioning system units to track position. By matching brain activity to location, the researchers could determine the effect of flying over a landmark.
The birds’ flights began over water, a relatively featureless environment, and then continued over land to a homing point. This enabled the researchers to determine brain activity as the birds reached the coastline and then flew over other landmarks.
They found that activity in both high- and mid-range frequencies occurred as the birds passed over a landmark. The researchers, who reported their findings in Current Biology, suggest that the mid-range frequencies are linked to the perception of visual information, while the high-frequency activity may be related to cognitive processing — perhaps the recognition of a landmark as something the bird has seen before.
The researchers also observed strong brain activity at two rural locations where there were no significant landmarks. On visiting the sites, the researchers found that both had colonies of wild pigeons, which was probably what caught the homing pigeons’ interest.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Pigeon Oral Contraception Legalized in New York State
"Birth Control" for Pigeons Now Available in all 50 States
RANCHO SANTA FE, CA - Innolytics, LLC announced today that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation ("NYDEC") became the 50th and final state to grant registration for OvoControl® P in pigeons. The first of its kind, the new product effectively controls egg hatchability in pigeons and essentially represents non-hormonal oral contraception for birds.
OvoControl P (nicarbazin) was registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency in May 2007. Following a federal registration, each state requires its own State Registration and the registration process in New York can be especially thorough.
"Support for the approval of OvoControl in New York spanned a cross-section of stakeholder groups," said Erick Wolf, CEO of Innolytics.". The company collaborated with the office of State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31st) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to support the approval of the new technology in New York."
"Other communities and businesses across the US are adopting birth control to help reduce the population of these invasive birds thereby reducing what they leave behind," said Wolf. "New York represents a very large market where the pigeon problem is widespread and has limited control options. Pest Management Professionals and their customers are increasingly adopting low-impact solutions that effectively control the underlying local pigeon population."
"Pigeons are a fact of life for New Yorkers," said James Freedland, a spokesperson from Senator Schneiderman's District Office in Northern Manhattan. "This technology is a safe, humane and effective tool to help manage pigeon overpopulation in and around our city and state."
Birth control for birds is also advocated by animal welfare organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States. "The Humane Society of the United States supports non-lethal wildlife management because it works," said Laura Simon, Field Director for Urban Wildlife Programs with the Humane Society of the the United States in Connecticut. "Simply killing birds is not a long-term or effective solution. A comprehensive program to reduce conflicts with pigeons should include reproductive control with other proven non-lethal approaches," added Ms. Simon.
In addition to exclusion and control of feeding, OvoControl P represents yet another component in an integrated program of pest bird management. The new product is available through licensed pest control professionals in New York. In combination with other mitigation measures, OvoControl P results in a more comprehensive and effective, long-term control program.
Established in 2003, Innolytics, LLC is a privately held company which focuses on developing humane population management technology for wildlife. For further information see the company website at www.ovocontrol.com.
# # #
Contact: Erick Wolf, CEO, Innolytics, LLC Tel: 858.759.8012 -- email erick.wolf@cox.net
RANCHO SANTA FE, CA - Innolytics, LLC announced today that the New York Department of Environmental Conservation ("NYDEC") became the 50th and final state to grant registration for OvoControl® P in pigeons. The first of its kind, the new product effectively controls egg hatchability in pigeons and essentially represents non-hormonal oral contraception for birds.
OvoControl P (nicarbazin) was registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency in May 2007. Following a federal registration, each state requires its own State Registration and the registration process in New York can be especially thorough.
"Support for the approval of OvoControl in New York spanned a cross-section of stakeholder groups," said Erick Wolf, CEO of Innolytics.". The company collaborated with the office of State Senator Eric Schneiderman (D-31st) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to support the approval of the new technology in New York."
"Other communities and businesses across the US are adopting birth control to help reduce the population of these invasive birds thereby reducing what they leave behind," said Wolf. "New York represents a very large market where the pigeon problem is widespread and has limited control options. Pest Management Professionals and their customers are increasingly adopting low-impact solutions that effectively control the underlying local pigeon population."
"Pigeons are a fact of life for New Yorkers," said James Freedland, a spokesperson from Senator Schneiderman's District Office in Northern Manhattan. "This technology is a safe, humane and effective tool to help manage pigeon overpopulation in and around our city and state."
Birth control for birds is also advocated by animal welfare organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States. "The Humane Society of the United States supports non-lethal wildlife management because it works," said Laura Simon, Field Director for Urban Wildlife Programs with the Humane Society of the the United States in Connecticut. "Simply killing birds is not a long-term or effective solution. A comprehensive program to reduce conflicts with pigeons should include reproductive control with other proven non-lethal approaches," added Ms. Simon.
In addition to exclusion and control of feeding, OvoControl P represents yet another component in an integrated program of pest bird management. The new product is available through licensed pest control professionals in New York. In combination with other mitigation measures, OvoControl P results in a more comprehensive and effective, long-term control program.
Established in 2003, Innolytics, LLC is a privately held company which focuses on developing humane population management technology for wildlife. For further information see the company website at www.ovocontrol.com.
# # #
Contact: Erick Wolf, CEO, Innolytics, LLC Tel: 858.759.8012 -- email erick.wolf@cox.net
Sunday, June 14, 2009
National Pigeon Day? New York Bird Club Looks to make it happen
Amos Latteier in his pigeon suit talks to Anne-Marie Richard about her gallery's pigeon-inspired art, as they advocate for the establishment of National Pigeon Day on June 13.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
State Bird of New York -- the Manhattan Pigeon?
Copied from the Random Objects blog; you're gonna live this one!
"Pigeons Love NY" is one of our newest designs, but I wanted to shed some light on the inspiration for this design.
Recently NY councilman Simcha Felder has proposed that the city impose a $1,000 fine for anyone caught feeding pigeons.... come on? He figures that this will control the population of pigeons in New York? If I were to list the top 5 things that people identify with New York -- our dirty feathery friends would have to be on that list!
Here's my list:
1. Times Square
2. horrendous traffic
3. street meat and pretzels
4. skyscrapers and...
5. PIGEONS !!!
Did you know that our state bird is the Eastern Bluebird... WHAT? I have never seen an eastern bluebird walking around on the sidewalks of New York, but I've seen plenty of pigeons! These foul birds have been a fixture here in NY for over a century. Our new state bird should be the Manhattan Pigeon! Send a letter to City Hall demanding to make the pigeon our new state bird.
"Pigeons Love NY" is one of our newest designs, but I wanted to shed some light on the inspiration for this design.
Recently NY councilman Simcha Felder has proposed that the city impose a $1,000 fine for anyone caught feeding pigeons.... come on? He figures that this will control the population of pigeons in New York? If I were to list the top 5 things that people identify with New York -- our dirty feathery friends would have to be on that list!
Here's my list:
1. Times Square
2. horrendous traffic
3. street meat and pretzels
4. skyscrapers and...
5. PIGEONS !!!
Did you know that our state bird is the Eastern Bluebird... WHAT? I have never seen an eastern bluebird walking around on the sidewalks of New York, but I've seen plenty of pigeons! These foul birds have been a fixture here in NY for over a century. Our new state bird should be the Manhattan Pigeon! Send a letter to City Hall demanding to make the pigeon our new state bird.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Pennsylvania -- the last state left
Cruel & unusual: Stop turning pigeons into sitting ducks
In an attempt to broaden perspectives on and coverage of statewide issues that concern our readers, we'll be occasionally running editorials from papers around the commonwealth. Today's editorial first appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
PENNSYLVANIA is only state left in the nation allowing live pigeon shoots.
Opponents who have tried for decades to ban pigeon shoots are now are asking legislators to ban two particularly appalling practices: Launching and tethering.
Pigeons are put into mechanical launches and placed about 30 yards away from shooters. The birds are propelled and shot while they are still in the air. In another type of contest, they are tethered in place and shot.
The mechanical launch and tethering at bird shoots continue to be an embarrassment to our commonwealth. Other states have wisely banned the contests, leaving us with the lone reputation of enabling them. In fact, many of the people who participate at pigeon shoots come from other states.
Fortunately many pigeon shoots - Hegins comes to mind - have ended because of court rulings or organizers' bowing to public opposition. But many persist and the mechanical launch has become a popular and cruel tool for the shoots. The Humane Society of the United States says that typically 10 percent of birds manage to escape, 20 percent are killed outright and 70 percent are wounded and later die.
Some pigeon-shoot supporters have tried to tie the practice to hunting. But real hunters know shooting a bird from a launch or one that is tethered isn't real hunting.
Bills have been introduced in the House by Reps. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) and John Maher (R-Allegheny) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Browne (R-Lehigh). The legislation would ban shoots in which captive birds are tethered or launched in front of the shooter. And the bills specifically say they can't be used to restrict traditional hunting regulated by the state Game Commission.
More than 22,000 birds are used as targets every year in the state for these shoots.
Pigeons aren't puppies. Putting the face of the birds on a poster might not stir the same emotions in people as did the sad-eyed dogs displayed last year during the successful fight against puppy mills.
But people should be no less outraged and the outcome should be the same. Legislators should end this cruel practice. *
In an attempt to broaden perspectives on and coverage of statewide issues that concern our readers, we'll be occasionally running editorials from papers around the commonwealth. Today's editorial first appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
PENNSYLVANIA is only state left in the nation allowing live pigeon shoots.
Opponents who have tried for decades to ban pigeon shoots are now are asking legislators to ban two particularly appalling practices: Launching and tethering.
Pigeons are put into mechanical launches and placed about 30 yards away from shooters. The birds are propelled and shot while they are still in the air. In another type of contest, they are tethered in place and shot.
The mechanical launch and tethering at bird shoots continue to be an embarrassment to our commonwealth. Other states have wisely banned the contests, leaving us with the lone reputation of enabling them. In fact, many of the people who participate at pigeon shoots come from other states.
Fortunately many pigeon shoots - Hegins comes to mind - have ended because of court rulings or organizers' bowing to public opposition. But many persist and the mechanical launch has become a popular and cruel tool for the shoots. The Humane Society of the United States says that typically 10 percent of birds manage to escape, 20 percent are killed outright and 70 percent are wounded and later die.
Some pigeon-shoot supporters have tried to tie the practice to hunting. But real hunters know shooting a bird from a launch or one that is tethered isn't real hunting.
Bills have been introduced in the House by Reps. Eugene DePasquale (D-York) and John Maher (R-Allegheny) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Browne (R-Lehigh). The legislation would ban shoots in which captive birds are tethered or launched in front of the shooter. And the bills specifically say they can't be used to restrict traditional hunting regulated by the state Game Commission.
More than 22,000 birds are used as targets every year in the state for these shoots.
Pigeons aren't puppies. Putting the face of the birds on a poster might not stir the same emotions in people as did the sad-eyed dogs displayed last year during the successful fight against puppy mills.
But people should be no less outraged and the outcome should be the same. Legislators should end this cruel practice. *
A New Commandment for Pennsylvanians: Thou Shalt Not Kill....Pigeons
A NEW COMMANDMENT FOR PENNSYLVANIANS: THOU SHALT NOT KILL...PIGEONS
-Lebanon Daily News
Perhaps Pennsylvania's Legislature can only handle one dog-and-pony (or dog-and-pigeon) show per term. Last session, there was considerable focus on legislation changing dog laws to prevent so-called "puppy mills."
While that debate was going on, another piece of animal-related legislation came and went (again).
Pigeons don't have quite the same fun-and-furry reputation as puppies. People will get considerably more wrought up about a baby Rottweiler than even the most attractive squab.
But that's no reason to trap them elsewhere, haul them to Pennsylvania and blast them out of the air—and then call it a sport and expect Pennsylvania's many real sportsmen follow allow with the thinking.
The bill to finally ban live-pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania—the only state left standing when it comes to these senseless shoots—came and went again during the last legislative session. It's been about two decades that efforts have been ongoing.
We shouldn't be shooting live pigeons in Pennsylvania. It's not a sport by any definition. It's been done better with artificial targets for years. The efforts to ban it are written explicitly so that the shoot legislation cannot be used as a jump-off point against other blood sport.
This is an area where hunting is deep in the fiber of the community. We've had a busy outdoors page in our paper for years. We get plenty of photo submissions when it comes to deer and even bear season. We have written in this space of the significance of Pennsylvania's and the Lebanon Valley's hunting traditions. We do not now nor will we ever seek to undermine that.
The legislation banning pigeon shoots does not undermine the tradition. Don't make the argument; it's got no traction with us. Pigeon shoots, quite simply, are inhumane and not at all sporting. They are almost diametrically opposed to the philosophy of hunting, in that a caged animal is released under controlled circumstances and blown away at short range (or, too often, wounded and able to get far enough away to die in agony—that's also not a part of hunting philosophy. You shoot to kill, and if you don't kill it, you track it.
The new legislation has been written for both the House and the Senate. It's HB 1411 and SB 843. Rep. RoseMarie Swanger has signed on as a co-sponsor of the House bill, and we think that's the proper move.
Get real, Pennsylvania. Pigeon shoots aren't for real hunters, and no real argument can be made to continue them. If they're no good in Texas, Colorado, West Virginia and other hunting states, they certainly aren't any good here.
-Lebanon Daily News
Perhaps Pennsylvania's Legislature can only handle one dog-and-pony (or dog-and-pigeon) show per term. Last session, there was considerable focus on legislation changing dog laws to prevent so-called "puppy mills."
While that debate was going on, another piece of animal-related legislation came and went (again).
Pigeons don't have quite the same fun-and-furry reputation as puppies. People will get considerably more wrought up about a baby Rottweiler than even the most attractive squab.
But that's no reason to trap them elsewhere, haul them to Pennsylvania and blast them out of the air—and then call it a sport and expect Pennsylvania's many real sportsmen follow allow with the thinking.
The bill to finally ban live-pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania—the only state left standing when it comes to these senseless shoots—came and went again during the last legislative session. It's been about two decades that efforts have been ongoing.
We shouldn't be shooting live pigeons in Pennsylvania. It's not a sport by any definition. It's been done better with artificial targets for years. The efforts to ban it are written explicitly so that the shoot legislation cannot be used as a jump-off point against other blood sport.
This is an area where hunting is deep in the fiber of the community. We've had a busy outdoors page in our paper for years. We get plenty of photo submissions when it comes to deer and even bear season. We have written in this space of the significance of Pennsylvania's and the Lebanon Valley's hunting traditions. We do not now nor will we ever seek to undermine that.
The legislation banning pigeon shoots does not undermine the tradition. Don't make the argument; it's got no traction with us. Pigeon shoots, quite simply, are inhumane and not at all sporting. They are almost diametrically opposed to the philosophy of hunting, in that a caged animal is released under controlled circumstances and blown away at short range (or, too often, wounded and able to get far enough away to die in agony—that's also not a part of hunting philosophy. You shoot to kill, and if you don't kill it, you track it.
The new legislation has been written for both the House and the Senate. It's HB 1411 and SB 843. Rep. RoseMarie Swanger has signed on as a co-sponsor of the House bill, and we think that's the proper move.
Get real, Pennsylvania. Pigeon shoots aren't for real hunters, and no real argument can be made to continue them. If they're no good in Texas, Colorado, West Virginia and other hunting states, they certainly aren't any good here.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Pennsylvania -- the only state allowing live pigeon shoots
Take aim at banning cruel pigeon shoots
by Patriot-News Editorial Board
Sunday May 24, 2009, 6:01 PM
Pennsylvania sadly still has the distinction of being the only state left in the nation allowing live pigeon shoots.
Opponents of the practice have tried for decades to ban pigeon shoots and now are asking legislators to ban two particularly appalling practices.
Here's what is allowed to happen in our state: Pigeons are put into mechanical launches and placed about 30 yards away from shooters. The birds are propelled, in some cases they are shot while they are still in the air, other times they fall to the ground and are shot. In another type of contest, the birds, including turkeys, are tethered in place so they cannot escape and shot.
The mechanical launch and tethering at bird shoots continue to be an embarrassment to our commonwealth. Other states have wisely banned the contests leaving us with the lone reputation of enabling them. In fact, many of the people who participate at pigeon shoots come from other states.
Fortunately many pigeon shoots -- Hegins comes to mind -- have ended because of court rulings or organizers bowing to public opposition. But many still persist and the mechanical launch has become a popular and cruel tool for the shoots. The Humane Society of the United States says that typically 20 percent of the birds that are launched are killed outright, 10 percent manage to escape and 70 percent are wounded and later die.
Some pigeon shoot supporters have tried to tie the practice to hunting. But real hunters know shooting a bird from a launch -- in some cases they are weighted down -- or one that is tethered is not real hunting.
Bills have been introduced in the House by Reps. Eugene DePasquale (D-York County) and John Maher (R-Allegheny) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Browne (D-Lehigh). The legislation would ban shoots in which captive birds are tethered or launched in front of the shooter. And the bills specifically say they cannot be used to restrict traditional hunting regulated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
More than 22,000 birds are used as targets every year in the state for these shoots. The birds are captured on state land and on the streets of New York City. The HSUS says because Pennsylvania has become a repository for so many pigeons, organizers of underground shoots in states where the contests are banned buy their pigeons in the commonwealth -- giving us yet another black eye.
Pigeons aren't puppies. Putting the face of the birds on a poster might not stir the same emotions in people as did the sad-eyed dog photos displayed last year during the successful fight against puppymills.
But people should be no less outraged and the outcome should be the same. Legislators should end this cruel practice.
by Patriot-News Editorial Board
Sunday May 24, 2009, 6:01 PM
Pennsylvania sadly still has the distinction of being the only state left in the nation allowing live pigeon shoots.
Opponents of the practice have tried for decades to ban pigeon shoots and now are asking legislators to ban two particularly appalling practices.
Here's what is allowed to happen in our state: Pigeons are put into mechanical launches and placed about 30 yards away from shooters. The birds are propelled, in some cases they are shot while they are still in the air, other times they fall to the ground and are shot. In another type of contest, the birds, including turkeys, are tethered in place so they cannot escape and shot.
The mechanical launch and tethering at bird shoots continue to be an embarrassment to our commonwealth. Other states have wisely banned the contests leaving us with the lone reputation of enabling them. In fact, many of the people who participate at pigeon shoots come from other states.
Fortunately many pigeon shoots -- Hegins comes to mind -- have ended because of court rulings or organizers bowing to public opposition. But many still persist and the mechanical launch has become a popular and cruel tool for the shoots. The Humane Society of the United States says that typically 20 percent of the birds that are launched are killed outright, 10 percent manage to escape and 70 percent are wounded and later die.
Some pigeon shoot supporters have tried to tie the practice to hunting. But real hunters know shooting a bird from a launch -- in some cases they are weighted down -- or one that is tethered is not real hunting.
Bills have been introduced in the House by Reps. Eugene DePasquale (D-York County) and John Maher (R-Allegheny) and in the Senate by Sen. Patrick Browne (D-Lehigh). The legislation would ban shoots in which captive birds are tethered or launched in front of the shooter. And the bills specifically say they cannot be used to restrict traditional hunting regulated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
More than 22,000 birds are used as targets every year in the state for these shoots. The birds are captured on state land and on the streets of New York City. The HSUS says because Pennsylvania has become a repository for so many pigeons, organizers of underground shoots in states where the contests are banned buy their pigeons in the commonwealth -- giving us yet another black eye.
Pigeons aren't puppies. Putting the face of the birds on a poster might not stir the same emotions in people as did the sad-eyed dog photos displayed last year during the successful fight against puppymills.
But people should be no less outraged and the outcome should be the same. Legislators should end this cruel practice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
