(The Center Square) – An unexpected voice is weighing in on legislation proposed in the Pennsylvania House: New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera.
Rivera has written to Majority Leader Rep. Matt Bradford, D-Norristown, asking him to advance a ban on live pigeon shoots. The council member says that it would assist with the illegal trafficking of pigeons in New York.
Pennsylvania is an outlier in using the animals for target practice at gun clubs, which is widely viewed as inhumane and outdated. Hunters have largely made the switch to clay pigeons, but advocates of the practice continue to organize pigeon shooting events, and lobbying money identified by Spotlight PA, to keep it going.
Rivera passed legislation in New York City that made it illegal to traffick the birds, but the city has seen a continuation of an underground market supplying Pennsylvanians with the birds. She noted that in May, the NYPD arrested a man in Tompkins Square Park with 25 pigeons destined for the commonwealth.
“It’s reported that birds who have either been captured from the wild or raised in captivity for the sole purpose of being shot are kept inhumanely in dark containers prior to being released,” wrote Rivera.
She added that according to estimates from the Animal Defense League, only 70% of the birds are fatally wounded by the gunshots, leaving the remainder to have their necks snapped, skulls crushed, or to be decapitated by the hunters.
Rep. Perry Warren, D-Yardley, is the sponsor of House Bill 1097, which seeks to end the practice. Among his co-sponsors are Republicans Mike Jones of York, and Joe Hogan of Penndel.
A memo supporting the bill highlights other laws enacted by the legislature combatting animal cruelty, including the banning of cockfighting and dog racing.
“It is far past time for our Commonwealth to fully and finally end events which harm the lives of animals by ending live pigeon shoots,” reads the memo.
Rivera encouraged the Pennsylvania legislature to approach the law with the same bipartisan support it received from committee last year.
“I urge you to work with state leadership to ensure House Bill 1097’s swift passage and end this inhumane practice once and for all,” wrote Rivera.
