Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The push continues to get a state bill ending wildlife killing contests in New York past the finish line in Albany.
State Sen. Tim Kennedy was in Buffalo on Wednesday at the SPCA Serving Erie County to call on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign legislation (A2917/S4099) that he has sponsored putting a stop to these killing contests.
"We're right on the cusp of becoming the 10th state in the nation in order to ban these barbaric... killing contests here in the State of New York," said Kennedy during Wednesday's press conference. "This has nothing to do with hunting. This has to do with these indiscriminate, inhumane, barbaric, violent killing contests for cash, for weight and for prizes, oftentimes that ended up with these carcasses being disposed of in a way that is inhumane in its own right.
"We're not reinventing the wheel here, we're simply doing what's right. It's not a political issue, it's an issue of humanity."
Also joining Kennedy on Wednesday in his push to have this bill signed into law included Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) NYS Director Brian Shapiro, the SPCA Serving Erie County's President and CEO Cait Daly and Director of Wildlife Barbara Haney, as well as others advocates from other groups.
"Gov. Hochul, please sign this bill. This is an important piece of bipartisan legislation that passed both houses with strong support. This bill will do one thing, and that is to end the use of our wildlife resources, our shared wildlife resources solely for cash and prizes," said Shapiro on Wednesday. "Wildlife belongs to all the people of the state. Wildlife is held in public trust for the people of the State of New York. Not just fringe groups, extreme groups that use these resources simply to line their pockets for cash and prizes. This is not Sunday hunting out with the family. This is an extreme activity, and wildlife management experts from across the United States and even here in New York have spoken out clearly that these wildlife for cash competitions serve no wildlife management function whatsoever."
Kennedy expects this bill, as soon as possible, to be delivered to the Governor's desk or called up after being passed by both the State Senate and Assembly. Kennedy is hoping Wednesday's message will amplify the voice of the community, and educate leaders across the nation about the cruelty of these wildlife killing contests.
"This is really a great demonstration of community support, and we're excited to be able to rally the troops not just here in Western New York, but to get the message out across New York State - the importance of protecting and preserving wildlife from these barbaric contests that are really inhumane," Kennedy said. "In New York State, by getting this bill signed into law, it will help to set a precedent across the entire country. I'm proud to sponsor this legislation that would outlaw these wildlife killing contests here in New York State. We're talking about competitions that kill wildlife purely under the disgusting guise of entertainment. It's barbaric, and it's downright inhumane. Quite frankly, I can't believe it's still happening here in New York, and the fact that these cruel and inhumane tournaments still exist is really absurd."
Kennedy is confident Gov. Hochul will soon officially sign this bill into law across the state.
Wildlife killing contests often involve cash prizes for dead or partially alive bodies of animals, such as crows, squirrels, possums, fox, woodchucks, coyotes and other wildlife animals. Prizes are given for the most of the species killed, the largest or the smallest of the species killed, and so on.
"As an organization, we are certainly opposed to these wildlife killing contests, and we have a responsibility to make public statements against them. We have a responsibility to bring awareness to this issue and demand change," said Daly on Wednesday. "However, this goes beyond our professional responsibility. As people, we have a personal obligation to recognize the inhumanity and barbaric nature of these contests, and to take a moral ethical stand. As humans, we have a personal obligation to encourage others to recognize the brutality of this, and we must do what we can to put a stop to these cruel and unnecessary contests."
In addition, this bill will, in no way, impact hunting or the hunting season in New York State, and will not impact fishing derbies, bears, deer or turkey.
"Believe it or not, as you'll learn, there is no population control at work with these contests, which is an argument you may hear in favor of this monstrous activity," Daly added. "Listen for how suddenly increasing food supply by killing off members of a species can actually have the opposite effect, and increase population."
"It is time to end wildlife kill contests. These contests are brutal and bloodthirsty, and we must remember that nature and her wildlife are sovereign in the State of New York," added Haney. "These animals should not be expendable in the name of a local fundraiser. This is not an attack or erosion on hunting or guns. This is an attack and erosion of indiscriminate cruelty against innocent animals for the sole purpose of entertainment. For 156 years, our mission has been wanting to prevent cruelty. ... There is no doubt that wildlife kill contests are cruel, inhumane, and lack compassion. The science shows this is not a means of population control, and in no way will this law affect hunting. Make no mistake and understand that killing contests have no purpose but deliberate cruelty."
