Bob Barker Drops $1M to Fight Local Pigeon Shoots

TV legend donated money to local animal rights organization

By VINCE LATTANZIO

Anyone who's ever watched Bob Barker on The Price is Right knows that he's a huge animal activist.

But I doubt anyone would expect the TV legend to drop $1 million to help keep pigeons from our area alive.

Well, he has.

Barker's donation to local animal rights organization SHARK -- Showing Animals Respect and Kindness -- will help the group fight live pigeon shoots at the Philadelphia Gun Club in Bensalem, Pa.

The shoots, which have been considered inhumane and unnecessary, occur on the grounds of the private Bucks County club. Members trap the wild birds and then release them to shoot for target practice.

Bensalem Police say they would love to stop the controlled kills, but have their hands tied by the Bucks County Prosecutor's Office who say the shoots are legal.

"Personally, I think it's a barbaric act and I don't understand the joy as to why somebody would do it," said Fred Harran of Bensalem Police.

But if the shoots are legal, what will SHARK do with the money?

Officials say they will launch a statewide advertising campaign to draw public support. They also plan to pressure lawmakers to change their minds on the legality of the act.

Sean Corr, the club's attorney, says the organization has done nothing illegal.

Corr says that Barker has "a distorted sense of priority" by spending a million dollars on fighting pigeon shoots while there is so much human suffering in the world.