Rewards Offered for Apprehension of Pigeon Netters/Pigeon Shoots

Reward Offered by:

Humane Society of the United States:
http://www.hsus.org/acf/news/pressrel/rewards/reward_offered_pigeon_shoots_pennsylvania_102907.html
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reward Offered for Exposing Cruelty at Live Pigeon Shoots

(October 29, 2007) — The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing acts of cruelty to animals before, during and after live pigeon shoots.

The HSUS is seeking information about instances of cruelty during the shoots, as well as information pertaining to the illegal trafficking of pigeons across state lines to supply shoots, and illegal gambling occurring at events.

“It’s time to expose the seedy cruelty that occurs almost every weekend in Pennsylvania during live pigeon shoots,” stated Heidi Prescott , HSUS senior vice president of campaigns, “We encourage anyone with information related to supplying birds, gambling, or specific acts of cruelty occurring at shoots to come forward.”

Individuals with information may call the toll-free live pigeon shoot tip line at 1-800-637-4124.

Live Pigeon Shoots:
Live pigeon shoots are events where shooters fire at birds released one at a time from boxes in an attempt to shoot each animal down within a ring for prizes.

Live pigeon shoots occur almost every weekend during the fall and winter primarily in Pennsylvania.

Although an underground, illegal pigeon shoot circuit exists, Pennsylvania is the last state where live pigeon shoots knowingly, regularly occur.

During past live pigeon shoots, participants have beaten the pigeons against barrels, buried wounded animals with dead ones in containers, and abandoned wounded animals.
At least 1,000 birds are typically used for one shoot.

In past shoots, seventy percent of the birds are shot and wounded rather than killed outright, with some wounded animals escaping into the area to suffer for hours or days before dying.

Visit www.humanesociety.org/hunt for more information.

The HSUS Contacts:
Jordan Crump, Phone: 901-581-5666; jcrump@humanesociety.org

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs.

Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

International animal protection organization In Defense of Animals (IDA) is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for illegally netting, capturing, and killing pigeons in New York City.

"Reports of large numbers of pigeons being netted in New York City have grown over the last year," said IDA's East Coast Director, Valerie Sicignano.

"IDA is offering a $2,500 reward in the hope of turning up evidence that will identify the offender(s). We suspect that the majority of birds are being transported out of state for canned hunts in a neighboring state and that a smaller number may be for human consumption.

Emails mentioning a concern about bird flu are false - Pigeons do not transmit bird flu. If the Avian Flu does reach New York, New Yorkers will have to be concerned about catching it from other humans - not from the birds," added Sicignano.

Fill out the form entitled "Bird Netting Sightings Report" found at http://www.idausa.org/

2) Call New York City Humane Law Enforcement at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4450 and file a report using the information you gathered on the form.

3) Next, Call NYS-DEC District 2 at (718) 482-4885 and file a 2nd report using the information that you gathered on the form.

4) To register for the reward offered by IDA, mail a photocopy of your completed form to:

Valerie Sicignano
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd.
San Rafael, CA 94902