Killing for a good cause?

The hunting association «Hegering Molbergen» in the Cloppenburg district organises a large-scale pigeon hunt every year.

For several years now, the association has also collected donations for a local children's hospice during the event. At this so-called driven hunt, 460 pigeons were killed by participants this year alone; in previous years the figure was usually around 500 to 700 animals. Because the hobby hunters show empathy only towards terminally ill children while ignoring the suffering they inflict on the birds, PETA is awarding «Hegering Molbergen» its negative prize «Speciesism of the Month» for January. A typical example of the animal welfare problem of recreational hunting.

«Social engagement is very commendable; however, animals should not have to give their lives for it. Unfortunately, the organisers fail to recognise the contradiction in bringing great suffering upon some in order to help others. The goal of generating donations could also be achieved in other, bloodless ways,» said Peter Höffken, policy adviser at PETA. «It is speciesist to interpret the right to life differently based solely on membership of different species. We are therefore presenting Hegering Molbergen with our negative award – in the hope of prompting those responsible to reconsider.»

Hobby hunting of pigeons mostly mere amusement

Wood pigeons in particular are among the animals most frequently killed in Germany. In the 2023/24 hunting season alone, around 260’000 pigeons were shot by hobby hunters. The killing of entire flocks is often justified by claims that the pigeons cause crop damage in grain fields. However, the recreational hunting community has failed to provide any scientific evidence for this. In reality, hobby hunting of pigeons is carried out solely for the pleasure of hobby hunters. Additionally, hobby hunters without a hunting territory can be given the opportunity to kill through special permits at pigeon hunts. As studies demonstrate, hobby hunting fails as a means of population control.

PETA's Negative Award «Speciesism of the Month»

In 2025 as well, PETA will again award its monthly negative prize «Speciesism of the Month» to individuals, companies or products that have demonstrated particularly speciesist and animal-hostile behaviour. After one year, the title «Speciesism of the Year» is awarded to the most scandalous case among the previous «winners», determined by a public vote. Most recently, the Bavarian Hunting Association received the Annual Award 2024 for its «Animal Welfare Advocate» campaign; the year before, the title went to Prince Marcus. With this award, PETA aims to raise public awareness of the issue of speciesism and to encourage critical reflection, a change in thinking, and animal-friendly behaviour. For speciesist thinking creates the foundation upon which animals are exploited, mistreated and killed for human purposes as a matter of course. More on hunting myths.

Speciesism – the discrimination against other species

Analogous to the terms racism and sexism, speciesism a form of discrimination – more precisely, the devaluation of sentient animals based on their species membership. Humans are regarded as superior to all other species. In addition, distinctions are also made between different animal species, dividing them into so-called pets and livestock: dogs and cats, for instance, are lovingly cared for, while pigs, cattle and chickens are killed and eaten. Due to their belonging to the “wrong” species, animals are reduced to research objects, food, clothing material or toys. Yet they are all capable of experiencing joy and suffering and therefore have an interest in, and a right to, living and not being harmed. PETA advocates an anti-speciesist perspective and emphasises that this commonality among all sentient beings is decisive when it comes to determining who holds moral rights. Animals have the same right to life, liberty and physical integrity as humans.