Contact us          SHARK ALERT  June 18,  2012     Join our Email list     
IN THIS ISSUE
Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler Protects Pigeon Shooters...Again
New YouTube Videos: Rodeo Horses Abused, Pigeon Shoot Update
 Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler Protects Pigeon Shooters...Again
Dear Friends,

In a sadly unsurprising move, Bucks County District Attorney David Heckler has dismissed five animal cruelty citations against the Bensalem based Philadelphia Gun Club (PGC) which were legally filed by Humane Society Police Officer Johnna Seeton. This is the second time that Heckler has used his power to protect the PGC from cruelty charges.

"The shooting of pigeons at the Philadelphia Gun Club is unquestionably illegal," states Officer Seeton. "Any reasonable person who views Pennsylvania's cruelty statute 5511 can see that for themselves. There is no affirmative legal excuse for shooting pigeons solely for fun and pigeons are animals and animals are protected by the law. It's simple and easy. The truth is that the shoots held by the PGC are violations of state law, but we can't stop them if the District Attorney won't allow us to go to court."

SHowing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) contends that Heckler's intervention in this case was payback for campaign support and that Heckler should have recused himself from the case.

"DA Heckler has strong ties to the lawyer and law firm that represent the PGC," states SHARK President Steve Hindi. "Heckler had a duty to recuse himself from this case, but he chose instead to again use his power to protect the wealthy clients of a law firm that has donated heavily to his campaign."

SHARK has previously pointed out the unethical connection between Heckler and Sean Corr, the lawyer for the PGC. You can view that report on this webpage.

New evidence shows that the Heckler's financial connections to the pigeon shooters go much deeper. Sean Corr works for the law firm of Eastburn and Gray, which is the firm of record that represents the PGC. Eastburn and Gray was a major donor to Heckler when he ran for Judge in 2007.  

In Heckler's campaign finance report filing 2007, cycle 5, nearly half of the donations came from members of Eastburn and Gray, giving Heckler a total of $3,070 in that cycle alone. We already knew that Heckler's ties to Sean Corr were serious breaches of the principals and moral code that a District Attorney should abide by, but these new revelations show how much more insidious the situation is.

SHARK is continuing to review Heckler's campaign records and will release more information in the near future.

"DA Heckler knew how strong this case was and was determined to never let it be heard in a court of law," states Hindi.  "He knew that if his patron's client was found guilty then that would shut down pigeon shoots at the PGC, and he was willing to disgrace himself and his office to make sure that never happens."

This story is already getting media coverage. Please visit the following news sites and leave comments telling what you really think of DA Heckler's corruption.





New YouTube Videos: Rodeo Horses Abused, Pigeon Shoot Update

Pennsylvania Cruelty and Corruption Update
Pennsylvania Cruelty and Corruption Update


Rodeo Horses Roped, Slammed, Severely Abused
Rodeo Horses Roped, Slammed, Severely Abused


Gretchen & Phil the Pigeon
Gretchen & Phil the Pigeon

Kindest Regards,  

Steve Hindi and Your SHARK Team

 
"Kindness and compassion towards all living beings is a mark of a civilized society.   Racism, economic deprival, dog fighting and cock fighting, bullfighting and rodeos are all cut from the same fabric: violence.   Only when we have become nonviolent towards all life will we have learned to live well ourselves."   - Cesar Chavez, civil rights and labor leader, founder of the United Farm Workers