LANCASTER (PRNewswire-USNewswire) – A Lancaster County Sportsmen’s club was cited after allegedly using live, domestic turkey’s for target practice in September.
The Elstonville Sportsmen’s Association in Manheim has been cited with eight counts of cruelty to animals as a result of charges filed on January
22 in District Court.
Charges were filed by Officer Keith Mohler of the animal welfare agency 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 will be handled by Assistant District Attorney Christie Wilson of the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.