Pigeon Shoot Ban Bill (Pennsylvania)

​​The Animal Legal Defense Fund Supports this bill.

Sponsors:​ State Reps. Perry Warren (D-31), Patty Kim (D-103), Danielle Friel Otten (D-155), Maureen Madden (D-115), Ben Waxman (D-182), Dan Frankel (D-23), Melissa Shusterman (D-157), Michael Schlossberg (D-132), Joe Hogan (R-142), MaryLouise Isaacson (D-175), Tim Briggs (D-149), Robert Freeman (D-136), Liz Hanbidge (D-61), Leanne Krueger (D-161), and Steve Samuelson (D-135)

​Introduction Date:​ March 19, 2024

The Pennsylvania General Assembly is considering H.B. 2139, legislation that will protect animals and communities in the Commonwealth by finally putting an end to live pigeon shoots.

In pigeon shoots, live birds who have been captured and kept in dark boxes are released into the air to be shot by participants in a contest. Observers estimate that 70% of the birds are wounded but not killed outright. After each round of shooting, wounded birds are collected — often by youth with no training in proper euthanasia methods — and are killed by slamming, snapping or snipping the head off, or by breaking the neck. The birds are then tossed into a barrel or pile of dead and dying pigeons and discarded as garbage.

Why is this legislation important?

Pennsylvania is the last U.S. state where organized live pigeon shoots are still allowed.

Coalition Support: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; the Animal Welfare Institute; the Humane Society of the United States

​​For more information about animal protection legislation​ in Pennsylvania ​and opportunities to take action for animals, visit aldf.org/pennsylvania.