PETA Urges Gov. Shapiro to Veto Bill That Would Allow Hunting on Sundays

For Immediate Release:
July 11, 2024

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Following the Pennsylvania State Senate’s passage of a bill that would repeal provisions that greatly restrict hunting on Sundays, PETA’s faith outreach division, PETA LAMBS (“Least Among My Brothers and Sisters” from Matthew 25:40), rushed a letter to Gov. Josh Shapiro urging him to safeguard Sunday—a holy day for many—as a time to show mercy for traumatized animals by vetoing the legislation if it passes the House of Representatives.

“Hunters stalk, terrorize, and massacre frightened animals—and the last thing they need is another day of the week reserved for killing them,” says PETA Senior Vice President Colleen O’Brien. “PETA urges Gov. Shapiro to veto this bloodthirsty bill and encourages Pennsylvanians of all faiths to spend Sundays connecting with nature through hiking, birdwatching, or any other pursuit that leaves vulnerable animals in peace.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out thatEvery Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Shapiro follows.

July 11, 2024

The Honorable Josh Shapiro

Governor of Pennsylvania

Dear Governor Shapiro:

I’m writing on behalf of PETA LAMBS, the faith outreach division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, to urge you to please veto Senate Bill 67, which seeks to repeal the Sunday prohibition on hunting currently protected animals. Violence against animals contradicts the peaceful coexistence between humans and other sentient beings envisioned in both Judaism and Christianity. As most of your constituents regard Sunday as the Lord’s Day, we ask that you retain the provision in law that affords these traumatized animals a day of rest.

Jews and Christians view humans’ God-granted dominion over the Earth as including the sacred duty to protect other animals from needless harm. Frightening and killing them for “sport,” including to possess parts of their mutilated corpses as trophies, shows a lack of respect for God’s expectations. As you know, Jewish law strictly prohibits causing animals any unnecessary suffering, which is exactly what hunting does. When God gave Adam dominion over the animals in Genesis 1:26–28, He intended for him and all humans to be loving stewards of His creation, which clearly excludes harming them by exploiting them as commodities or making products derived from their bodies. At the very least, Sunday, which is viewed by so many Pennsylvanians as the Lord’s Day, should be a time when as many animals as possible can exist peacefully.

There are so many harmless Sunday pursuits, including hiking, photography, rafting, and birdwatching, that allow others to enjoy their lives in peace, as God intended. Will you please veto Senate Bill 67 if it is passed by the House? Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Sarah McFarlane

Faith Outreach Coordinator