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We advocate on all animal protection and exploitation issues, including experimentation, factory farming, rodeos, breeders and traveling animal acts.

Animal Defenders of Westchester
P.O. Box 205
Yonkers, NY 10704

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Stop Rodeos

Letter to Adam Buckman about Rodeos

Note: Adam Buckman is the NY Post's 'Entertainment' columnist. He and I have previously corresponded about rodeos. Below is his response to my letter regarding his bullriding endorsement in Sunday's 3/28/04 edition.  Further down is the letter that prompted it.  It is on the strong side; our previous communication was friendly.

Dear Mr. Buckman,

I corresponded with you previously about rodeo events, I don't know if you recall.  You allowed at that time that rodeos were problematic, and I believe you said you saw an animal seriously injured at a rodeo, and it distressed you.

I am now distressed to read in the NY Post that you watch and endorse bullriding.  You refer to 'angry rodeo bulls' - these animals were standing peacefully before they were hit with an electric prod, had their tails raked across the chute, and had a strap cinched painfully near their genitals to make them buck - don't you dare buy into the 'angry bull' garbage, you know damn well I'm telling the truth about these animals.  

And 'crashing into props'?? How would you like it if any of this happened to your family, Mr. Buckman?  How would you like it if it happened to you??  How would you like it if, in pain and terror, you 'crashed into props' and some moron was watching and laughing?

And you know damn well I'm telling the truth when I say these animals are transported in cramped boxcars and left without food or water for up to 24 hours, which the USDA allows;  all so you can sit home and have a great time laughing at them.  

For shame, Mr. Buckman.  I really thought you gave serious consideration to these archaic, cruel events after our letters; apparently I failed as a educator, and you as a student.  

Please give this yet more thought before you endorse this barbarism again.  Thank you.

Kiley Blackman
Animal Defenders of Westchester

Reply From Adam Buckman

Whoops!  My bad -- it won't happen again.  Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Best,

A. Buckman

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