Did money play a role in stopping the bill aimed at banning live pigeon shoots and making it illegal to eat cats and dogs in Pennsylvania?

Three days before a critical vote was to be taken that would have sent the bill (HB1750) to the state House floor, a pigeon shooting lobbying group dropped $20,000 on key committee members. campaign finance records show.

The Pennsylvania Flyers Victory Fund typically doles out far less, with donations in the hundreds of dollars to key committee chairman like Rep. Ron Marsico (R., Dauphin) chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who has kept the bill holed up in committee for years.

This time, on Monday Oct. 20, animal welfare advocates awaited what they said was a promised vote by House Majority Leaders Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny).

But instead,Turzai - under heavy pressure from the National Rifle Association - did not bring up the bill for a vote and it died on the last day of the legislative session. (My story on the background of the bill battle here.)

Read the entire stunning article here.