The Humane Society of the United States, the nation's largest animal protection organization, today praised Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry for taking an important step to end "Internet hunting," an appalling form of trophy hunting opposed by sportsmen and animal welfare advocates alike. 

Gov. Henry signed Senate Bill 1463 into law last week. Sen. James A. Williamson (R-Tulsa) introduced the legislation which prohibits the use of computer-assisted remote control hunting of wildlife. The bill also makes it illegal to engage in, sell, offer for sale, assist in or provide facilities for computer-assisted remote control hunting.

"The Humane Society of the United States is very grateful to Governor Henry and the Oklahoma legislature for putting an end to this pay-per-view slaughter," said Michael Markarian, executive vice-president of The Humane Society of the United States. "Traditional hunters know there's no sport in shooting an animal remotely while lying in bed and wearing camouflage pajamas."

Thirty-eight states prohibit Internet hunting, and a federal bill introduced in the U.S. Congress – S. 2422 and H.R. 2711, the Computer-Assisted Remote Hunting Act – would end Internet hunting nationwide.

Facts

• Hunting via the Internet involves fees of more than $1,500 to schedule a session and place an order for a deer, antelope or other animal. The hunter then logs on to a website at an appointed time and watches a feeding station on the computer screen. The animal ordered is herded in front of the camera by on-site employees and the hunter uses his mouse to line the victim up in the on-screen crosshairs. A click of the mouse fires the rifle. The hunter's "trophy" is then shipped to his or her home.
• The controversial practice originated in Texas with the launch of a web site, www.Live-Shot.com, that allowed hunters to pay a fee and shoot captive animals on an exotic game ranch from many miles away with the click of a mouse or the few strokes of a keyboard. 
• The HSUS has been active in advocating for state legislation to combat Internet hunting – 38 states, including Texas, now ban the practice.

Timeline

• 2008 – Connecticut has pending legislation to ban Internet hunting.
• 2008 – Three states (Florida, Utah and Oklahoma) enact bans on Internet hunting.
• 2007 – Ten states enact bans on Internet hunting.
• 2006 – Eleven states enact bans on Internet hunting.
• 2005 – Fourteen states enact bans on Internet hunting.
• June 2005 – Texas bans the practice of Internet hunting, effectively shutting down Live-Shot.com.
• March 2005 – Virginia becomes the first state to outlaw the practice of Internet hunting.
• January 2005 – Entrepreneur John Lockwood starts Live-Shot.com web site, which offers hunters the opportunity to kill animals online.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.