Published in THE JOURNAL NEWS, 8/13/02:
Unfortunately, rodeo season is here. It's hard for
anyone with brains and heart to not see what's wrong with sharply lassoing
a baby animal, then body-slamming him to the ground, tying his legs so he
cannot move. Baby calves feel terror and pain exactly as any other
vertebrate baby, including humans. Calves are subjected to electric
prodding and tail-twisting to enrage and terrorize them while they wait in
the chute.
If the animals can breathe after roping, the babies
cry pitifully, as you would expect. Injuries include separation of the
skull from the neck, broken bones, hemorrhaging and death by choking.
Several cities have passed ordinances that
effectively ban rodeos.
Rodeos teach children domination and cruelty. Is it
really worth an hour's diversion to contribute to society's brutal side?
Kiley Blackman
Yonkers
The writer is spokesperson,
Animal Defenders of Westchester
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