CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #10885 Rating: 2.0 out of 5
Turkeys staked to hay bales, shot with arrows
Manheim, PA (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 9, 2006
County: Schuylkill
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Elstonville Sportsmen's Association
The Elstonville Sportsmen's Association, 3133 Pinch Rd., Manheim, Pa., on March 9 pleaded "no contest" to eight counts of cruelty to animals as a result of charges filed on Jan. 22, 2007, in District Court. Judge John C. Winters issued fines to the association of $50 for each count.
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 Sept. 9, 2006, during which domestic turkeys were staked to straw bales and used as live targets for 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.
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."
Prosecution of this case was handled by Assistant District Attorney Christie Wilson of the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office, who stated today, "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.
"Like all animals, turkeys experience pain and suffering, and deserve to be protected from cruelty," added Gene Baur, president and co-founder of Farm Sanctuary. References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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