Live pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania, where innocent birds are forced into small boxes, then launched into the air and shot for fun, have been decimated by our relentless efforts against them. Most of the birds, who are on the brink of starvation (which makes them easier to shoot) do not die right away, but instead suffer for hours or days after being wounded. These shoots are truly depraved and cause incalculable suffering.

Children are often used to capture and kill wounded birds at pigeon shoots

While other animal groups have either abandoned or betrayed the pigeons in PA, SHARK has stood resolute in our defense of them. The pigeon shooters are so scared of SHARK showing up and filming them that they have been driven underground and limited the number of shoots they hold. This has saved tens of thousands of birds every year.

Just some of the many dozens of wounded pigeons SHARK has rescued over the years at pigeon shoots

The main pigeon shoot SHARK focused on in 2021 was the notorious Philadelphia Gun Club. A SHARK investigator filmed a number of shoots at the gun club, capturing horrific acts of animal cruelty and a complete disdain for human life, as the wealthy and politically connected members of the gun club openly flouted COVID restrictions that were in place. These sociopaths just didn’t care about anything other than slaughtering small birds for fun.

The President of the gun club is Edward Bruce DiDonato. DiDonato is an optometrist who has deep ties to Rider University in NJ, including having a lecture hall named after him, and being listed as a Director of the University. SHARK released a video calling out Rider for this relationship, not just because of the heinous animal cruelty, but because over the past ten years, gun club members have attacked female activists who were protesting the club. This includes disgusting verbal harassment that was targeted to a woman and pigeon shooters driving their vehicles at female activists. DiDonato himself used his SUV to harass a woman who filmed him. Shockingly, Rider President Gregory Dell’Omo has refused to even respond to this important issue. Money, it seems, matters more to Rider than morality.

Please contact Rider President Dell’Omo and ask that he dissolve all relationships between Rider and DiDonato: Email: [email protected] Phone Number: 609-896-5001

Constant pursuit of animal abusers is an absolute must. This is a large part of why SHARK is more productive than other groups. We don't sit in offices - we are in the field. Unfortunately, this costs money for fuel, food, lodging, wear and tear on vehicles and equipment. Travel isn't fun when you're chasing animals abusers. It's not fun at all, but it is vital to make positive change.