An industry built on lies: Charity releases new film exposing the truth behind the shooting industry
A leading animal welfare charity is set to reveal the murky truth behind the UK’s shooting industry in a brand new exposé.
The film ‘Gunsmoke and Mirrors’ is the culmination of almost ten years of undercover work into sporting estates and the shooting industry by League Against Cruel Sports’ investigators and shines a light on the truth behind this so called ‘sport’. Using footage obtained from estates and game breeding farms around the UK as well as interviews with key spokespeople the reality of this cruel industry is exposed in what is believed to be the most comprehensive study in recent years.
Over three chapters, the film examines battery farming; killing of protected species; and waste and pollution. With shooting promoted as a free range and organic way to enjoy game meat, the film reveals how far from the truth this is with footage from breeding farms showing the battery conditions in which many game birds begin their lives. It also shows the unnatural behaviour displayed by chicks as a result of stress and the mutilations used to prevent them harming themselves and each other through boredom.
Game birds are not the only victims of the shooting industry with foxes, badgers, otters, birds of prey, as well as cats and dogs becoming intended and unintended victims as they are poisoned, shot and trapped in the name of ‘predator control’. With no mandatory firearm training requirement in the UK, many birds die lingering deaths after being shot by inexperienced shooters, including children.
The League’s Chief Executive Joe Duckworth says: “The game shooting industry in this country is a national embarrassment and sadly the problems highlighted in the film are not isolated incidents. Over the years we have come across the same horrific issues over and over again and it is high time the public witnessed for themselves what really happens on a shoot, as well as all the unacceptable and needless cruelty of the industry”.
“’Gunsmoke and Mirrors’ will prove to be in stark contrast to the sanitised films produced by the shooting industry which attempt to show shooting as a wholesome sport. They don’t show you the thousands of birds shot and injured but not killed; they don’t show you the inebriated shooters taking pot shots at these beautiful birds; and they don’t show you the horrors of snaring and other predator control used to protect game stocks”.
An Early Day Motion (EDM) has been tabled by Michael Connarty MP in support of the film and the League’s campaign. EDM 311 calls on the Government to ensure that animals are protected from such senseless destruction.
The film has been released ahead of the 12th August which celebrates the start of the grouse shooting season.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The full length film as well as a one minute trailer can be viewed on the League’s website at www.league.org.uk/shooting as well as the Vimeo links below:
1. Shooting Industry Lies Trailer http://bit.ly/KXDrln [55 Sec]
2. Shooting Industry Lies Video http://ow.ly/c8fur [26m 28 Sec]
Please contact the League’s Press Office on 01483 524250 (24hrs) with any queries, or email press@league.org.uk.
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