Animal rights officer blasts DA on pigeon-shoot citations
John Adams
Johnna Seeton, an officer with the Pennsylvania Legislative Animal Network, asked the court to order Adams to reinstate citations against the Pike Township Sportsmen's Association for its members' actions at the Oct. 18 shoot.
Seeton is a court-appointed volunteer officer based in Harrisburg who is empowered to enforce the animal cruelty laws, according to the lawsuit.
On Dec. 10, Seeton filed two animal cruelty citations accusing the association of refusing to provide veterinary care to injured pigeons.
On Dec. 28, Adams asked Oley District Judge Victor M. Frederick IV to withdraw the citations.
The district attorney said that pigeon shoots do not violate the cruelty to animal laws.
"These people do hate me," Adams said. "After reviewing the facts and reviewing the complaints, it is clear the law in Pennsylvania is such that pigeon shoots are permitted. If the legislation changes, I will be the first one to stop the pigeon shoots.
"This lawsuit is a waste of our taxpayers' dollars."
Adams said he has suggested that the pigeon shoots be held in areas that are not accessible to the public.
Adams said he is not a hunter.
"It's not conduct that I would participate in, but it's not illegal," he said.
The district attorney said a legislative change would be required for the charges to be reinstated.
"We are fighting the pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania," said Stuart Chaifez, an investigator with Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, Geneva, Ill., an advocacy group supporting the lawsuit. "We want the district attorney to do his job."
Adams said Berks Judge Scott E. Lash on April 16, 2002, ruled that pigeon shoots do not violate the animal cruelty laws.
The judge said that veterinary care does not apply to pigeon shoots.
Lisa White, a New York attorney representing Seeton, said Lash's ruling is preliminary opinion and not law.
"It does not have binding weight," she said. "It does not set a Pennsylvania precedent that what happens at a pigeon shoot does not violate animal cruelty laws.
"The treatment of wounded and injured pigeons can constitute animal cruelty."
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