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. *
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Birds in Paradise: Pigeons Share Similar Mating Process to Humans
New York Post
May 24, 2009
Love them or hate them, rock doves are surely New York's unofficial feathered mascot. To honor them on National Pigeon Day (June 13), the New York Bird Club and United Poultry Concerns will host an event from noon to 4 p.m. at Pilgrim Hill in Central Park, featuring an appearance by singer-songwriter Nellie McKay, among other attractions. But since sex sells, the sponsors might want to add a discussion on pigeon porn to the program. I, for one, wouldn't have to attend a demo -- the airshaft adjacent to my apartment is a veritable lovers' lane for pigeons.
Their cooing is more than just ordinary urban background noise: It's proof that pigeons have more in common with us humans than we might think, especially in the mating department.
Rita McMahon, who rescues birds in distress and runs the Wild Bird Fund, concurs. But while human females won't marry a guy after just one pass or memorable meal -- especially if he throws up on the date -- female pigeons will. After initial coos, the male regurgitates his meal into the female's beak during a ritual called "billing."
As is often the case with humans, a female pigeon's sex drive is higher than a male's. "Some of the ladies are very horny, and will begin the mating process again immediately after sex," McMahon says.
But perhaps they're just worried the male might leave them. Because while most pigeons are renowned for their monogamy, there are exceptions. "Males will divorce a female if she's infertile," McMahon allows.
Before, I viewed the feathered occupants of that dark, gloomy airshaft as live entertainment for my cats. Now I realize that what I have is an enlightening window into the stimulating sex lives of pigeons. If only I could get past the fact that they relentlessly use my air conditioner as a litter box.
js@pet-reporter.com
May 24, 2009
Love them or hate them, rock doves are surely New York's unofficial feathered mascot. To honor them on National Pigeon Day (June 13), the New York Bird Club and United Poultry Concerns will host an event from noon to 4 p.m. at Pilgrim Hill in Central Park, featuring an appearance by singer-songwriter Nellie McKay, among other attractions. But since sex sells, the sponsors might want to add a discussion on pigeon porn to the program. I, for one, wouldn't have to attend a demo -- the airshaft adjacent to my apartment is a veritable lovers' lane for pigeons.
Their cooing is more than just ordinary urban background noise: It's proof that pigeons have more in common with us humans than we might think, especially in the mating department.
Rita McMahon, who rescues birds in distress and runs the Wild Bird Fund, concurs. But while human females won't marry a guy after just one pass or memorable meal -- especially if he throws up on the date -- female pigeons will. After initial coos, the male regurgitates his meal into the female's beak during a ritual called "billing."
As is often the case with humans, a female pigeon's sex drive is higher than a male's. "Some of the ladies are very horny, and will begin the mating process again immediately after sex," McMahon says.
But perhaps they're just worried the male might leave them. Because while most pigeons are renowned for their monogamy, there are exceptions. "Males will divorce a female if she's infertile," McMahon allows.
Before, I viewed the feathered occupants of that dark, gloomy airshaft as live entertainment for my cats. Now I realize that what I have is an enlightening window into the stimulating sex lives of pigeons. If only I could get past the fact that they relentlessly use my air conditioner as a litter box.
js@pet-reporter.com
Sunday, May 24, 2009
On Memorial Day, thank a pigeon.
Tampa Exotic Pets Examiner
On Memorial Day, thank a pigeon.
May 24, 7:39 AM
Where there are humans, there are companion animals. Even in war zones. During World War One, the 'state of the art' method for sending messages was by pigeon. Some pigeons even earned medals, although I don't know if this impressed the pigeon at all. Historically, camels, mules, and horses have transported soldiers and supplies. Soldiers also kept animals simply because they liked them, including tortoises, doves, larks, thrushes, blackbirds, and rabbits.
Right now in Iraq, despite all our modern technology, we depend on dogs for finding dangers, dolphins to find underwater mines, sea lions to patrol for enemy divers, and pigeons to serve as early warnings of chemical attacks. According to the website (www.travlingdogs.com) the dolphins are smart enough to avoid the mines once they've found them.
The more I study and learn about different species, the more I realize that humans do not have any truly unique capabilities. Everything humans do, at least one other species does, if in its own way. We are not the only species whose conflicts expand until they harm others who were in no way involved in the original conflict. Human war is, however the most extreme example of this behavior.
You want soldiers to have everything that will help them survive the hard work they're doing. Anything that makes their lives a little easier or safer is good. On the other hand, you have to seriously question what the dogs, sea lions, pigeons, and dolphins have to do with human political problems, and why they should be taken from their own business or put at risk over human wars. For now, the best solution I can think of is to 'pay our debts forward'. Protect habitats for sea lions and dolphins and birds. Go out of your way to make life good for domestic animals. Most important, try to find ways to keep all conflicts and the damage they cause under control, instead of letting the conflict control us.
For more info:
www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Animals_at_War/Animals_at_War_00.htm
www.awm.gov.au/kidshq/animals/animals.asp
www.travelingdogs.com/wariniraq.html
On Memorial Day, thank a pigeon.
May 24, 7:39 AM
Where there are humans, there are companion animals. Even in war zones. During World War One, the 'state of the art' method for sending messages was by pigeon. Some pigeons even earned medals, although I don't know if this impressed the pigeon at all. Historically, camels, mules, and horses have transported soldiers and supplies. Soldiers also kept animals simply because they liked them, including tortoises, doves, larks, thrushes, blackbirds, and rabbits.
Right now in Iraq, despite all our modern technology, we depend on dogs for finding dangers, dolphins to find underwater mines, sea lions to patrol for enemy divers, and pigeons to serve as early warnings of chemical attacks. According to the website (www.travlingdogs.com) the dolphins are smart enough to avoid the mines once they've found them.
The more I study and learn about different species, the more I realize that humans do not have any truly unique capabilities. Everything humans do, at least one other species does, if in its own way. We are not the only species whose conflicts expand until they harm others who were in no way involved in the original conflict. Human war is, however the most extreme example of this behavior.
You want soldiers to have everything that will help them survive the hard work they're doing. Anything that makes their lives a little easier or safer is good. On the other hand, you have to seriously question what the dogs, sea lions, pigeons, and dolphins have to do with human political problems, and why they should be taken from their own business or put at risk over human wars. For now, the best solution I can think of is to 'pay our debts forward'. Protect habitats for sea lions and dolphins and birds. Go out of your way to make life good for domestic animals. Most important, try to find ways to keep all conflicts and the damage they cause under control, instead of letting the conflict control us.
For more info:
www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Animals_at_War/Animals_at_War_00.htm
www.awm.gov.au/kidshq/animals/animals.asp
www.travelingdogs.com/wariniraq.html
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Pigeon Killings Anticipated in So. Korea
May 21, 2009, 3:30 am
The New York Times
Dwaedulgi
A Korean term for fat pigeons – literally, pig pigeon (dwaeji + bidulgi).
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is plagued by pigeons. (This follows a decision in the 1970s to introduce the birds in an attempt, it seems, to mimic the pigeons in cities like London.) Faced with increasing public concern about the environmental and health consequences of this infestation, officials are planning to make pigeons easier to cull, as Sung So-young reported for The JoongAng Daily:
“Pigeons could be added to the list of harmful animals by early next month,” said Cho Gap-hyun, officer in charge of the pigeon portfolio at the ministry [of environment]. It usually takes 45 days to approve an amendment, Cho said, so D-Day for the members of the bird family that many people regard as a rat with wings could be June 10.
“A large number of citizens want us to do something about their problems regarding pigeon droppings and feathers but there is no relevant law to control pigeon-related problems,” Cho explained by way of background to the proposed amendment.
Once designated feral, harmful animals, pigeons will be fair game for capture or killing, with full approval of the authorities.
Discussing the unpopularity of these urban birds, Sung So-young wrote:
The nicknames given to pigeons reveal the levels of antipathy, especially to weighty ones that swagger from bench to bench looking for scraps of food.
One is dakdulgi, a compound of dak, or chicken, and dulgi, a shortened word for bidulgi, or pigeon in Korean. Another is dwaedulgi, a compound of dwaeji, or pig, and bidulgi.
The New York Times
Dwaedulgi
A Korean term for fat pigeons – literally, pig pigeon (dwaeji + bidulgi).
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is plagued by pigeons. (This follows a decision in the 1970s to introduce the birds in an attempt, it seems, to mimic the pigeons in cities like London.) Faced with increasing public concern about the environmental and health consequences of this infestation, officials are planning to make pigeons easier to cull, as Sung So-young reported for The JoongAng Daily:
“Pigeons could be added to the list of harmful animals by early next month,” said Cho Gap-hyun, officer in charge of the pigeon portfolio at the ministry [of environment]. It usually takes 45 days to approve an amendment, Cho said, so D-Day for the members of the bird family that many people regard as a rat with wings could be June 10.
“A large number of citizens want us to do something about their problems regarding pigeon droppings and feathers but there is no relevant law to control pigeon-related problems,” Cho explained by way of background to the proposed amendment.
Once designated feral, harmful animals, pigeons will be fair game for capture or killing, with full approval of the authorities.
Discussing the unpopularity of these urban birds, Sung So-young wrote:
The nicknames given to pigeons reveal the levels of antipathy, especially to weighty ones that swagger from bench to bench looking for scraps of food.
One is dakdulgi, a compound of dak, or chicken, and dulgi, a shortened word for bidulgi, or pigeon in Korean. Another is dwaedulgi, a compound of dwaeji, or pig, and bidulgi.
Monday, May 18, 2009
"National Pigeon Day" to protest pigeon hunts....
Club to stop pigeon shoots; police withdraw citation
TEXT SIZE By: JAMES MCGINNIS
Bucks County Courier Times
Various groups have planned "National Pigeon Day" in New York to protest pigeon hunts.
The Bensalem Police Department said it has withdrawn animal cruelty and hunting citations against the Philadelphia Gun Club president after police said the organization promised to stop shooting birds.
On March 14, club president Leo Holt was cited for allegedly participating in live pigeon shoots at the club's headquarters on River Road in Bensalem.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching John Van Luvanne, attorney for the club, for comment, after calls to his office Wednesday and Friday.
Township officials cited local laws against such hunts, but the gun club has argued that its organization predates all such ordinances. Pigeon shooting is legal in Pennsylvania.
Regardless, Public Safety Director Fred Harran said the gun club has agreed to stop shooting birds. With those assurances, he said the township felt comfortable dropping the charges.
"Our goal here was not to collect a fine for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Harran said. "Our goal here was to stop this activity."
The fine for Holt's alleged violations of the township's animal cruelty and hunting ordinances would have been about $160, according to court records.
Bensalem said it issued a cease-and-desist order against the shoots in 2002, after videos sent to the newspaper appeared to show pigeon hunting at the gun club off State Road.
The gun club denied that any such cease-and-desist order was issued. Club members also questioned whether the township had legal authority to shut down the pigeon shoots.
Advertisement Chartered in 1877, the gun club pre-dates any township laws. Pigeon shoots on the Bensalem waterfront have been a subject of legal disputes going back more than 119 years.
In 1890, a Bucks County judge ruled that gun club member A. Nelson Lewis was guilty of animal cruelty.
According to a Jan. 27, 1890, report in the New York Times, Lewis "fired with a gun upon certain pigeons, liberated from a trap, killing one and wounding another.
"The bird so wounded alighted upon a tree, and as soon as its wounded condition was discovered, it was killed," the report said. "The birds so killed were immediately sold for food, according to the rule and custom of said club."
The Pennsylvania Legislature is considering a ban on pigeon shoots. There were two earlier attempts for a statewide ban in 1999, but both failed.
Animal rights groups will hold a "National Pigeon Day" in New York City next month to rally for the rights of birds and protest pigeon shoots.
Activists said they are rallying against pigeon trafficking to Pennsylvania for the purposes of pigeon shoots. They also oppose pigeon control methods, including contraceptives and sterilization.
A number of writers, actors and musicians are scheduled to perform from noon to 4 p.m. June 13 on Pilgrim Hill in Central Park.
For more information on the protest, visit the Web site for the Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org.
May 17, 2009 02:00 AM
TEXT SIZE By: JAMES MCGINNIS
Bucks County Courier Times
Various groups have planned "National Pigeon Day" in New York to protest pigeon hunts.
The Bensalem Police Department said it has withdrawn animal cruelty and hunting citations against the Philadelphia Gun Club president after police said the organization promised to stop shooting birds.
On March 14, club president Leo Holt was cited for allegedly participating in live pigeon shoots at the club's headquarters on River Road in Bensalem.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching John Van Luvanne, attorney for the club, for comment, after calls to his office Wednesday and Friday.
Township officials cited local laws against such hunts, but the gun club has argued that its organization predates all such ordinances. Pigeon shooting is legal in Pennsylvania.
Regardless, Public Safety Director Fred Harran said the gun club has agreed to stop shooting birds. With those assurances, he said the township felt comfortable dropping the charges.
"Our goal here was not to collect a fine for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Harran said. "Our goal here was to stop this activity."
The fine for Holt's alleged violations of the township's animal cruelty and hunting ordinances would have been about $160, according to court records.
Bensalem said it issued a cease-and-desist order against the shoots in 2002, after videos sent to the newspaper appeared to show pigeon hunting at the gun club off State Road.
The gun club denied that any such cease-and-desist order was issued. Club members also questioned whether the township had legal authority to shut down the pigeon shoots.
Advertisement Chartered in 1877, the gun club pre-dates any township laws. Pigeon shoots on the Bensalem waterfront have been a subject of legal disputes going back more than 119 years.
In 1890, a Bucks County judge ruled that gun club member A. Nelson Lewis was guilty of animal cruelty.
According to a Jan. 27, 1890, report in the New York Times, Lewis "fired with a gun upon certain pigeons, liberated from a trap, killing one and wounding another.
"The bird so wounded alighted upon a tree, and as soon as its wounded condition was discovered, it was killed," the report said. "The birds so killed were immediately sold for food, according to the rule and custom of said club."
The Pennsylvania Legislature is considering a ban on pigeon shoots. There were two earlier attempts for a statewide ban in 1999, but both failed.
Animal rights groups will hold a "National Pigeon Day" in New York City next month to rally for the rights of birds and protest pigeon shoots.
Activists said they are rallying against pigeon trafficking to Pennsylvania for the purposes of pigeon shoots. They also oppose pigeon control methods, including contraceptives and sterilization.
A number of writers, actors and musicians are scheduled to perform from noon to 4 p.m. June 13 on Pilgrim Hill in Central Park.
For more information on the protest, visit the Web site for the Humane Society of the United States, www.hsus.org.
May 17, 2009 02:00 AM
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Dear President Obama,
May 13, 2009
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
There is a hero that deserves to be honored with a special holiday ~ this hero saved countless lives in World Wars I and II, and possesses a gentle nature and exemplary characteristics and traits, including loyalty and devotion to family. Yet, like many heroes, this particular one is often undervalued and disregarded and, worst of all, sometimes unfairly persecuted. It is time for the truth about this hero to be to be made known and celebrated. This hero is…..the Rock Dove, also known as the pigeon.
Try to imagine any large city without this ubiquitous bird. A city devoid of pigeons lacks character and animation. For city children, pigeons are often one of their first contacts with nature. For the elderly, feeding the pigeons in the park gives them both purpose and pleasure when they have little else left.
Pigeons are considered to be one of the most intelligent bird species, being capable of learning tasks previously thought to be understood only by the higher forms of humans and primates. They are one of 6 species – and the only non-mammal – that can recognize its reflection in a mirror, and scientific tests have determined that they can understand all 26 letters of the English language and differentiate between images in photographs. They can be trained to save lives at sea, by recognizing the color of life jackets of survivors floating in the water.
Of course, the pigeon’s ability to navigate and fly great distances and return home is its most unique skill. It was this skill that made pigeons war heroes, as flying messengers – carrier pigeons - a usage that goes back to ancient times. Many pigeons in World War I and II saved the lives of soldiers by getting messages or locations through when there was no other means of communications. Some of these birds were shot up so badly by enemy fire that it is incredible that they made it back to their home base. In 1946, a pigeon named G.I. Joe was the only American bird awarded the prestigious Dickin medal (a British medal that is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross) for service in World War II. The US Air Force was to bomb the city of Calvi Risorta in Italy at 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 1943; however, British troops captured the city at 10:00 a.m. and attempts to cancel the raid by radio failed. G.I. Joe had been borrowed from the American airfield earlier and was released with a message to stop the raid. He landed as the bombers were about to take off. An estimated 1,000 British troops would have died if the bombing had gone on as planned.
We propose the date of June 13th as National Pigeon Day. June 13th was the anniversary of the death of Cher Ami, the most famous and legendary of the carrier pigeons of wartime. Cher Ami was a pigeon in World War I who, on October 4, 1918, flew 25 miles in 25 minutes -despite being horribly wounded - to deliver a message that saved 200 American soldiers in Europe, who were fighting to help the French allies. The Americans were surrounded by the German enemy and the message gave the location of the American soldiers so they wouldn’t be killed by American bombs trying to destroy the surrounding Germans. The French government awarded Cher Ami their highest honor – the Croix de Guerre. The bird was patched up and tended by medics and General John J. Pershing himself saw the pigeon off when he departed Europe for home. At the time, Cher Ami’s story became one of the most famous wartime hero stories.
Cher Ami died of his multiple war wounds, including being blinded in one eye, shot through the breast and loss of a leg, on June 13, 1919, less than a year after he had completed his service to the United States Army Signal Corps. When he died, a taxidermist preserved the pigeon for future generations, and today, if you visit the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History, you can see Cher Ami preserved for history alongside the French Croix de Guerre that was awarded to him by the French government. It was rumored that Cher Ami had also been awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross, but although there is substantial documentation that General John J. Pershing did, in fact, award some sort of silver medal to the heroic carrier pigeon, there is no record of the Distinguished Service Cross specifically being awarded. Perhaps this is another oversight that you could investigate and correct.
In recent years, the pigeon’s talents, loyalty and friendship to humans has been sadly forgotten, and this remarkable bird is now often called a pest or described as a rat with wings (this last comment is thanks to an infamous line in a Woody Allen movie). Nothing could be further from the truth. The bird is not a carrier of disease (no more so than any wild bird, such as a cardinal or bluebird), and is relatively harmless. They tend to live near humans and in areas that are natural to them – in the wild they live on cliffs; in urban areas, they find buildings and bridges that mimic their natural homes. Pigeons are the first ones blamed when there is a bridge collapse (i.e., their droppings corroded the metal) yet, investigation has always found human error or design defect to be the true fault.
Worst of all, in some areas, pigeons are used as live targets in shooting clubs, most notoriously in Pennsylvania. Legislation is pending to outlaw this, but the erroneous perception of the pigeon as an undesirable – perpetrated to no small degree by pest control companies as a way to boost their business – continues to denigrate this species.
It is time for the pigeon to be respected for its remarkable traits and for how it has helped mankind. Many young Americans are alive today because a pigeon’s message saved his or her grandfather in World War I and II! The pigeon deserves a special day in recognition of its contributions. Please help make June 13, National Pigeon Day, a reality.
Respectfully yours,
Arlene B. Steinberg
Vice President
New York Bird Club
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
There is a hero that deserves to be honored with a special holiday ~ this hero saved countless lives in World Wars I and II, and possesses a gentle nature and exemplary characteristics and traits, including loyalty and devotion to family. Yet, like many heroes, this particular one is often undervalued and disregarded and, worst of all, sometimes unfairly persecuted. It is time for the truth about this hero to be to be made known and celebrated. This hero is…..the Rock Dove, also known as the pigeon.
Try to imagine any large city without this ubiquitous bird. A city devoid of pigeons lacks character and animation. For city children, pigeons are often one of their first contacts with nature. For the elderly, feeding the pigeons in the park gives them both purpose and pleasure when they have little else left.
Pigeons are considered to be one of the most intelligent bird species, being capable of learning tasks previously thought to be understood only by the higher forms of humans and primates. They are one of 6 species – and the only non-mammal – that can recognize its reflection in a mirror, and scientific tests have determined that they can understand all 26 letters of the English language and differentiate between images in photographs. They can be trained to save lives at sea, by recognizing the color of life jackets of survivors floating in the water.
Of course, the pigeon’s ability to navigate and fly great distances and return home is its most unique skill. It was this skill that made pigeons war heroes, as flying messengers – carrier pigeons - a usage that goes back to ancient times. Many pigeons in World War I and II saved the lives of soldiers by getting messages or locations through when there was no other means of communications. Some of these birds were shot up so badly by enemy fire that it is incredible that they made it back to their home base. In 1946, a pigeon named G.I. Joe was the only American bird awarded the prestigious Dickin medal (a British medal that is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross) for service in World War II. The US Air Force was to bomb the city of Calvi Risorta in Italy at 11:00 a.m. on October 18, 1943; however, British troops captured the city at 10:00 a.m. and attempts to cancel the raid by radio failed. G.I. Joe had been borrowed from the American airfield earlier and was released with a message to stop the raid. He landed as the bombers were about to take off. An estimated 1,000 British troops would have died if the bombing had gone on as planned.
We propose the date of June 13th as National Pigeon Day. June 13th was the anniversary of the death of Cher Ami, the most famous and legendary of the carrier pigeons of wartime. Cher Ami was a pigeon in World War I who, on October 4, 1918, flew 25 miles in 25 minutes -despite being horribly wounded - to deliver a message that saved 200 American soldiers in Europe, who were fighting to help the French allies. The Americans were surrounded by the German enemy and the message gave the location of the American soldiers so they wouldn’t be killed by American bombs trying to destroy the surrounding Germans. The French government awarded Cher Ami their highest honor – the Croix de Guerre. The bird was patched up and tended by medics and General John J. Pershing himself saw the pigeon off when he departed Europe for home. At the time, Cher Ami’s story became one of the most famous wartime hero stories.
Cher Ami died of his multiple war wounds, including being blinded in one eye, shot through the breast and loss of a leg, on June 13, 1919, less than a year after he had completed his service to the United States Army Signal Corps. When he died, a taxidermist preserved the pigeon for future generations, and today, if you visit the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History, you can see Cher Ami preserved for history alongside the French Croix de Guerre that was awarded to him by the French government. It was rumored that Cher Ami had also been awarded the American Distinguished Service Cross, but although there is substantial documentation that General John J. Pershing did, in fact, award some sort of silver medal to the heroic carrier pigeon, there is no record of the Distinguished Service Cross specifically being awarded. Perhaps this is another oversight that you could investigate and correct.
In recent years, the pigeon’s talents, loyalty and friendship to humans has been sadly forgotten, and this remarkable bird is now often called a pest or described as a rat with wings (this last comment is thanks to an infamous line in a Woody Allen movie). Nothing could be further from the truth. The bird is not a carrier of disease (no more so than any wild bird, such as a cardinal or bluebird), and is relatively harmless. They tend to live near humans and in areas that are natural to them – in the wild they live on cliffs; in urban areas, they find buildings and bridges that mimic their natural homes. Pigeons are the first ones blamed when there is a bridge collapse (i.e., their droppings corroded the metal) yet, investigation has always found human error or design defect to be the true fault.
Worst of all, in some areas, pigeons are used as live targets in shooting clubs, most notoriously in Pennsylvania. Legislation is pending to outlaw this, but the erroneous perception of the pigeon as an undesirable – perpetrated to no small degree by pest control companies as a way to boost their business – continues to denigrate this species.
It is time for the pigeon to be respected for its remarkable traits and for how it has helped mankind. Many young Americans are alive today because a pigeon’s message saved his or her grandfather in World War I and II! The pigeon deserves a special day in recognition of its contributions. Please help make June 13, National Pigeon Day, a reality.
Respectfully yours,
Arlene B. Steinberg
Vice President
New York Bird Club
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