Madonna draws criticism over hunting party

SALISBURY, England, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Madonna has become the focus of criticism again with her decision to import 1,000 baby pheasants to her British estate for a hunting party she offers each year.

The Times of London said animal welfare groups have spoken out against the pop singer's decision to import the chicks from France to her home on the Wiltshire-Dorset border to be part of an Oct. 1 gaming event that she and her husband, director Guy Richie, throw each year.

"Shame on Madonna. She thinks that when she puts on her plus fours she is part of the landed gentry," said Animal Aid Director Andrew Tyler. "But this is not in harmony with nature. It is the production of factory birds to provide a live shooting gallery."

Each year bankers, brokers, and celebrities like Brad Pitt convene at the couple's Ashcombe House estate and pay over $19,000 a day to hunt the birds on one of the nation's top sites.

The Times said that a spokeswoman for the singer confirmed the birds were purchased as an experiment and added that both Madonna and Richie have personally given up the sport.