Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-30

CRUELTY AT TIE TRAP.
The recent action of the British House OF
Commons on the occasion of the reading be-
fore that body of the bill for the prevention
OF pigeon shooting at the traps, when large
majority voted in favor Of its passage lends
strong sanction and encouragement to tue ell
forts which arc being made in this country
~ prohibit this cruel and unnecessary sport.
1t is disgrace to the people that for SO
many years it has not only been permitted
but encouraged and patronizcd in most OF
our States. The hcartlcssness ard brutality
of the sport are not its only Objectionable
features. 1t is made the occasion, often, OF
gambling and betting, and has largely fallen
into the hands of professional scoundrcls and
gamesters, who hesitate at no brutality or
dccept on to secure their ends. Not long
ago, it was reported by one OF our sports
mems journals that the accomplices oil
trap shooter had prcked and cut the birds OF
a rival and filled the wounds with rcd pep
per, SO that they might fly strong and wild
when sprung from the trap. Often, too, the
poor pigeons, weakened by long confinement
and want of food, and dazed by the sudden
springing of the trap, refuse to fly, and have
to be beaten up or thrown into tho air by
hcartess attendants, and there, while feebiy
lowering upon the wing, scarce able to keep
above the earth, are riddled by the heartlcss
shooters with almost as much ease as though
OH II
makes fight for its life, and fairly escapes
the first barrel of the gunner, the latter is
permitted to fire with the second barrel,
which usually brings the bird down mutllat-
cd and ilutteriug but not dead and often
out of bounds, where it can not be counted.
There, perhaps, it lies, suffering the asonies
of protracted death, or ground under the
heel of careless attendant. These cXhibl-
tions of cruelty and greed, witnessed by
large numbers of spectators, can not fail to
exercise degrading and debasin2 influence.
The evil effects OF the sport are not confined
to those who take part alone, nor is the
cruelty to be objected to solely because it
falls upon the helpless aud maltreated birds.
Such an exhibition is demoralizing to the
community IN which it takes place, and is
fruitful in all the vices of gaming, contention
and intemperance.
There was a time when pigeon shooting
was a comparatively innocuous sport and an
art requiring commcndable skill Genera
tions ago, in England, the sport was enjoyed
by the nobility in its perfection. 1t was n
gentleman's sport and conducted as such. a
the finest condition, 81 that when brought to
the trap they were full of natural life and
vigor. A small party of gunners, often ac-
companied by their ladies, but excluded from
the degrading presence of throng of spec
tators, assembled on the quiet lawn, and en-
gagged in q brief and courteous trial of skill at
the trap. No bird was fired at more than
once, or at a greater distance than would
ensure death if hit; and if bird was only
wounded it was Immediately put out of its
misery. In carly contests at the trap in this
! country the same humane and courteous
conduct was displayed, and so for long
time'thc sport remained comparatively unob-
, jectionable. But ere long the gambling Gle
= ment entered in large numbers of birds
were shot at for large wagers, and the sport
was made public exhibition. So it has
gone on, in this country from bad to worse,
until at last public indignation has become
fairly reused, and the present sentiment OF
people and Press seems to indicate that the
days Of cruelty at the trap are numbered
In some Of our States laws have already beer
enacted forbdding the sport, and bills, strong
s ly supported, are being brought forward il
4 all our legislative bodies. In Vermont shoot
1 ing at the trap has never been very eXtcn
G sively practiced, but still our Legislature ha
= seen fiji to guard against the abuse by an act
= passed at its last session, to the effect that
: "Any person who shall keep or use any liv,
; pigeon, turkey or other bird or fowl, for tn
c purpose of target. or to be shot at, cthe
: for amusement or as test of skill in marks
It manship shall be,punished by
Y fine not exceeding fifty dollars. or by mpris
J, onment not exceeding thirty days, or by boil
o such fine and Imprisonment" A similar nc
o will doubtless be incorporated in the law
z of all our States within very few years.
4 We said that the sport was unnecessary Il
is well as cruel. For all purposes OF a test O
Il skill, or as preparation for shooting in tn
e field, trap shooting at glass balls and ella
1t pigeons answers equally well-indeed, BET
n ter, considering the feebeness and slo'
fight of most birds thrown from the trap
IS There is absolutely no argument: which Gu
1t be urged in favor of the present method q
J. pigeon shooting at the traps, and we hop
is that the people, through their legislators, vii
Is sec to it that the cruel and degrading spoI
|, is prohibited on all our statute books.