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Banning Internet Hunting

February 2, 2008
Opinion-Editorial

An animal is lured to a feeding station within range of a mounted rifle and a person at his or her desktop uses a mouse and a computer to fire a rifle. Then trophy mounts of the dead animals are prepared at the ranch and shipped to the customer. This pay-per-view slaughter has no resemblance whatsoever to traditional hunting. Even pro-hunting groups denounce Internet hunting because it violates the ideals of a "fair chase."

Because I feel strongly about ensuring the humane treatment of animals, I introduced the Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act (H.R. 2711). This legislation is strongly supported by the Humane Society and I have secured the support of 40 cosponsors. The inhumane practice of Internet hunting, also called remote-controlled hunting, occurs when a customer uses a computer and the internet to aim and fire a weapon that is mounted on a mechanized tripod at a remote location, usually a game ranch where the hunted animals are penned.

The Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act would create a federal prohibition on Internet hunting and establishes penalties for those who violate the prohibition. Certain states have already outlawed the practice. While the efforts of these states should be applauded, the ability of a hunter to be in one state and hunt something in a different state demonstrates why a federal ban is necessary. I hope the Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on this bill this year.

While this is only a brief update on an important issue facing Congress, my work on behalf of animal rights has consistently earned me a 100 percent rating from the Humane Society of the United States and the Doris Day Animal League. Please feel free to contact me about this issue, or other federal issues which concern you. Please visit my website at BradSherman.house.gov and click on the link to my Federal Issues Questionnaire. Also, please give me your email address, if you want me to send you periodic updates on various congressional activities.