Animal Defenders of Westchester

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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

Letters

Teach Your Children

In the July issue of WESTCHESTER PARENT:

I am writing to applause Westchester Parent for printing the article "Teach Your Children," by Nancy Bevilaqua (April). In a world of ever-increasing violence it is imperative that parents use every opportunity to instill the values of compassion, kindness and respect in their children towards all forms of life, including animals.

Animal abuse cases, especially those committed by children, should not be taken lightly. There is a strong connection between animal abuse and violence against humans, and many of the most outrageous acts of violence have been committed by offenders with a documented history of animal abuse, such as the Columbine shooters. Animal abuse is one of the four indicators used by the FBI for detection of potential violence against humans and approximately 40 states have now upgraded animal cruelty laws to felony status for this very reason.

We are fortunate that New York has laws that require that humane education (i.e. teaching kindness to animals, the environment and each other) be taught in the classroom. As parents, we must emphasize this message at home and encourage teachers to do so in the classroom as well.

Lydia S. Antoncic, Esq.

Director of Projects, Animal Welfare Trust, Mamaroneck


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