Ban circuses in Westchester
From Animal Defenders of Westchester (ADOW)

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

Ban circuses in Westchester

Letter as published on Lohud.com
January 4, 2018

Westchester County Executive George Latimer has banned gun shows on county property via executive order. He states that the county "... should not be in the business of advancing the sale of weapons." Similarly, the county should not be in the business of advancing animal cruelty. Animal Defenders of Westchester has asked Latimer to enact the same ban regarding circuses, as has already been done in Greenburgh, New York City and nearby venues.

It is shameful that the Westchester Board of Legislators has ignored all outreach on this and other animal matters for over two years now, including traveling animal acts and pet shop legislation. This board should be abolished. Indeed, given the current tax hikes and requests for funding for nonprofits and social programs, a solution is to reallocate the $4 million-plus funds from this worthless Board of Legislators to real county needs.

Latimer is a supporter of decent treatment for animals. He worked with us to create legislation making the state Department of Environmental Conservation transparent and responsible, regarding their unchecked wildlife slaughters, as well as a Senate bill against circuses in New York State in 2014.

Westchester is a beautiful county — I believe it is a compassionate one as well. With Ringling Bros. out of business, entire states banning vicious circus "training" tools such as bullhooks, and an elephant ban right here in New York state, Westchester County must finally fall in line with the humane movement going on across the world.

Westchester can be a leader for silent victims; our hope is with you.

Kiley Blackman
Tuckahoe
The writer is founder of Animal Defenders of Westchester.

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