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Sportsmen's Association Charged for "Gutless" Acts of Cruelty

The Elstonville Sportsmen's Association, 3133 Pinch Road, Manheim, Pa. has been cited with eight counts of cruelty to animals as a result of charges filed on January 22, 2007 in District Court.

Charges were filed by Officer Keith Mohler of the Farm Sanctuary of Pennsylvania and stem from an event held at the club's facility on September 9, 2006 during which domestic turkeys were staked to straw bales and used as live targets during a bow and arrow shooting contest.

The club was cited for eight violations of the Pennsylvania Cruelty to Animals Statutes including four counts of cruel ill treatment and four counts of offering live animals as prizes in a contest.

Officer Mohler stated: "This case is about preventing wanton and unnecessary cruelty and upholding a basic humane ethic. This matter involves certain individuals seeking amusement from the senseless torture of animals. It was unnecessary, unsportsmanlike, and perhaps the most gutless act of cruelty I've seen."

The prosecution of the case was handled by Assistant District Attorney Christie Wilson of the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

UPDATE: Turkey "Contest" Cruelty Ends in "No Contest"!
A proceeding held on Friday, March 9, 2007, at 11 a.m. resulted in District Justice John Winters of Manheim, Pa., issuing fines to the Elstonville Sportsmen's Association after it pleaded "no contest."

Assistant D.A. Wilson stated, "The club's conduct was egregious on that day and they have now been held accountable for their actions." Wilson requested the court impose the maximum fine of $750 for the cruelty citations and $250 for the live animals as prizes citations; however, Judge Winters elected to impose the minimum fine of $50 for each count.

Farm Sanctuary's Humane Officer Keith Mohler stated,

"This case sets a precedent that the gutless acts of animal cruelty perpetrated by the Elstonville Sportsmen's Association are in fact illegal. With full support from the District Attorney's office and local law enforcement, we know that wanton animal cruelty will not stand in Lancaster County. Anyone seeking to gain amusement from the torture of innocent creatures will be prosecuted and brought to justice."

Thank You Animal Advocates!
Thank you for writing to Donald R. Totaro, District Attorney of Lancaster County, thanking him for his attention to this case and urging him to seek strong prosecution. Thank you also for writing to District Justice John Winters, urging that he uphold humane values by convicting and levying strict fines against those responsible for the turkey shoot.