Pennsylvania State Senate President Joe Scarnati has sponsored a bill stating that captive feral pigs are not wild animals. The effect of the bill is to remove the captive pigs (which are used for “canned hunts”) from the purview of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The Game Commission is set to vote on a policy to eradicate all feral pigs from the state.
Why would Republican Scarnati wish to protect these pigs? Because he has two businesses in his districts which cater to hunters who get some kind of kick from shooting feral pigs and will pay for the privilege. Scarnati says its about jobs.
I have two comments. If the Senator is so concerned about jobs, will he oppose the privatization of the State Stores, which would cost thousands of middle class jobs?
Secondly, is it worth protecting a non-native animal that is destructive of native plants and animals, an animal noted for escaping from preserves, to satisfy a few hunters and some businesses? Incidentally, according to an article in the Morning Call, feral pigs are estimated to cost approximately $1 billion in damages annually.
Scarnati’s bill passed the Senate on a 32-18 vote. Maybe the House will kill it. And maybe those feral pigs will fly.
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