![]() ![]() |
Animal Defenders of Westchester |
|
![]()
Home Page We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts. Animal Defenders of Westchester |
Articles The protesters come to town Published in THE JOURNAL NEWS,
www.thejournalnews.com , 2/19/06: By CANDICE FERRETTE WHITE PLAINS � They seem to be as much a part of the circus as the flying
trapeze. Members of Animal Defenders of Westchester braved below-freezing
temperatures for nearly three hours during an animal-rights protest outside
the Westchester County Center yesterday, while inside thousands watched the
three-ring acts of the Royal Hanneford Circus. "We tell people, 'Look at us. We are working people. This is our day off
and we could be home in bed,' " said ADOW, a Yonkers resident and
organizer of yesterday's demonstration. "But we have to do it because the
animals have no choice. This is the least we could do." The circus, which will be in town until tomorrow, performs three shows
per day with acts including elephants, horses, ponies and tigers. Struppi Hanneford, 75, owner of the circus, yesterday dismissed the
protesters' claims that the animals were ill-treated. She said the circus,
which has been coming to Westchester for 35 years, has always complied with
USDA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife guidelines. "I want to thank those people (the protesters) for staying out in the
cold and bringing us publicity," said Hanneford. "Why don't they worry about
the poor homeless people lying out on benches freezing to death today?" ADOW's spokesperson and her group of seven protesters � many of whom have returned
year after year to chant "Get Hanneford Out" � argue the animals are treated
inhumanely, chained to walls and confined to cramped spaces inside the
center, and have not been properly vaccinated. The group advocates for
animal-free circuses where face painting and human performers are the main
attraction, not animals. "It's impossible to keep elephants in captivity humanely," said protester
Tracy Basile, 51, an Ossining resident and a professor at Pace University.
"In nature, they would walk miles and miles per day. These elephants are
chained." Inside the circus, clowns were painting children's cheeks, and families
enjoyed balloons and cotton candy. Parents and children of all ages came
early for thrilling pony and elephant rides. The circus draws 1,200 to 1,400 people to each show and expects to host
up to 12,000 people by its last show tomorrow. Ebony White, 24, of Yonkers said she noticed the determined protesters
outside. However, she didn't think twice about buying a ticket and having a
good time with her family. "We are still going to come to the circus. It's a family thing," said
White, a student at Howard University. "It doesn't seem to be affecting
anyone." As the lights dimmed for the 2 p.m. show, 4-year-old Sophie Harris of
Ossining perked up in her seat. "The tigers, the tigers," she exclaimed. Her father, Bob Harris, 59, an editor at The New York Times Book Review,
said the family had a good time last year, which is why they came again. The
idea that people were protesting didn't prevent him from watching the show.
"I'm not convinced that they abuse the animals here," Harris said. Fair Use Notice: This document may contain
copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the
copyright owners. We believe that this not-for-profit, educational use on
the Web constitutes a fair use of the copyrighted material (as provided for
in section 107 of the US Copyright Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted
material for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain
permission from the copyright owner. |
Your comments and
inquiries are welcome
This site is hosted and maintained by:
The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation
Thank you for visiting all-creatures.org.
Since