Animal cruelty in unacceptable, that’s an unagruable and given fact. However, it seems as though some people are kind of disagreeing.
Recently, an online petition and movement surfaced on Facebook demanding the prevention of shooting live birds, specifically pigeons, in Nady El-Seid (Egyptian Shooting Club).
Is this a regular routine at the club or only individual cases?
The truth is, when we first heard of the petition, we were not aware whether or not people practiced on live targets in Nady El-Seid, since it is an exclusive club and we are not members.
But our initial information was that they don’t, considering how the club has been around for ages and we have never heard of any kind of animal cruelty being practiced over there.
A lot of people claimed it to be a lie, and denied that there are any reported cases of animal cruelty in the club.
However, after following through with this information, we discovered a Facebook group solely dedicated for the purpose of ending pigeon-shooting in Nady El-Seid.
“لا لتعذيب الحمام و ترويع الناس بإسم الصيد NO for torturing pigeons”
The group “لا لتعذيب الحمام و ترويع الناس بإسم الصيد NO for torturing pigeons” was created by club member Nevine Helmy, the same person who started the petition.
It focuses mainly on demonstrating and displaying the several colors of animal cruelty practiced in Nady El-Seid, according to its members. And, of course, encouraging more people to sign the petition.
What exactly happens in Nady El-Seid?
According to several complaint posts by -alleged- club members, here is how shooters practice shooting in the club: They put live pigeons in cages, release them, then shoot at them with cartouche bullets.
After which the pigeons are scattered across the shooting range, and even outside. According to several members, after being shot, some are gathered and thrown into a garbage can, but a lot of the pigeons are flown off to land in the jogging track, swimming pool, and even in balconies around the club.
Why is this bad?
First of, cartouche bullets don’t kill the pigeons right away, so after being shot, they bleed and suffer for hours till they actually die or until the cats eat them alive, which is plain torture.
Second, the fact that the animals spread all over while BLEEDING is a huge health hazard and puts everyone around at risk. Because birds are disease carriers by nature, that is when they’re alive, imagine the case when they’re bleeding and dying.
Third, in an environment that is supposed to be family-friendly, the sight of bleeding and suffering birds can be quite traumatic, especially for innocent children.
Fourth, the obvious which is that this is pure cruelty and utterly inhumane. Worse, it is unnecessary.
What is the alternative?
Shooting is a sport and there is no shame in practicing it. But seeing how it is 2019, we don’t have to practice it by shooting on live creatures anymore. There are other harmless options.
Which is what is being suggested by this petition; replacing live targets, i.e. birds with plastic plates or cartoon figures to shoot at.
Is the petition available for everyone to sign?
Unfortunately, NO! The petition is only available for club members to sign, so if you are a member and would like to take an action, you can sign here.
On the other hand, if you are not a member, what you can do is help raise awareness about this issue and its negative effect on all of us!
Nady El-Seid is not the only place where animals are being mistreated and pigeons are not the only animals being so casually tortured or abused.
Sadly, we witness violence against animals on daily basis; in the circus, on the streets, and even in music videos.
