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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

Rye, NY Considers Bow Hunting 'Cull'

Letter to the Editor, published in the JournalNews.com
April 28, 2013

Rye, NY is considering killing its deer neighbors using bowhunters because rifle hunting isn't allowed against deer in the county.  It should be illegal to use bowhunting as well. Most animal advocates are against all forms of hunting; but bow hunting is arguably the cruelest version of hunting - even rifle hunters denounce it.  There are numerous variables making it wildly inaccurate, including wind conditions, bow maneuvering and strength - all at a moving target.  It is far more likely that an animal shot with a bow and arrow will stagger away injured, wind up with an infection and die alone, suffering pathetically.  This is in addition to liability raised from people and property being hit by a stray arrow.  
 
Hastings, NY just introduced a program of birth control for deer - making Rye's suggestion all the more unnecessary.  A committee introduced alternatives which city officials ignored. The DEC advocates for hunting and downplays all other methods; they scapegoat deer, while ignoring garbage stewn all over, use of dangerous pesticides and fertlizers which go into the groundwater and worse.  
 
People move to these areas to enjoy wildlife instead of living in highrises; children love seeing the deer. A Westchester resident contacted us about a deer on his porch who was slowly dying from an arrow, while he frantically tried to help her.  Its far worse seeing something like that than some nibbling on garden tomatoes.  Foliage can be planted that discourages wildlife.  We applaud Rye Mayor Doug French for being open to other suggestions and encourage him to use kindness with every Rye resident - from vocal citizens, to those who have no voice.
 
Kiley Blackman
The writer is the founder of Animal Defenders of Westchester

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