Congressman Brad Sherman Receives Award from the Humane Society

Washington, DC – Congressman Brad Sherman today received the Humane Champion Award from the Humane Society of the United States.

Sherman was given the award for his leadership efforts on an animal welfare issue and for his perfect score on the Humane Society’s 2010 Legislative Scorecard. The Humane Society was particularly appreciative of Sherman’s leadership in introducing the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act (H.R. 2308), which would create a federal prohibition on Internet hunting and establish penalties for those who violate the prohibition. The legislation was strongly supported by the Humane Society.

“Congressman Sherman is such an outstanding champion for animal protection in the U.S. Congress, leading the way on important legislation and always taking account of the impacts on animals,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States. “We are so fortunate to have him giving voice to these concerns and helping to make this a more humane world.”

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. Canned hunting, in which customers pay to shoot tame, exotic animals within the confines of an enclosure where the animals have no chance of escape, would also be banned by the bill. These practices are cruel and have no resemblance whatsoever to traditional hunting.

“We thank Congressman Sherman for his compassion and determination to ensure that our animal welfare laws reflect our basic values and attitudes shared by people across the country,” said Humane Society Legislative Fund President Michael Markarian.

The Humane Society boasts 25,911 supporters in Congressman Sherman’s San Fernando Valley district and more than 11 million nationwide.

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