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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

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 June 2013

CONTACT:
Kiley Blackman  
[email protected]
www.adow.org   

IT'S WILDLY IMPORTANT....COUNTY OFFICIALS AT GEESE AND WILDLIFE SUMMIT

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY    JUNE 20, 2013      

Westchester4Geese and Citizen's Committee presents  'Geese and Wildlife Summit' on June 20, 2013, at the Scarsdale Library, 7 - 9 PM, to explore the many humane, intelligent methods of living with, and avoiding conflicts with geese, coyotes, and other critters who share our beautiful county.  Senator George Latimer (D - 37th District) will be joining us, and has promised to bring other area senators along.  This event is free to the public and refreshments will be served.  The Scarsdale Library was the scene of a proposed geese slaughter till officials rejected that plan in favor of non-lethal methods after being educated by animal advocates about the wide variety of items available.  All area mayors, village supervisors, legislators etc have been invited, as well as the candidates running for County Executive, to find out what their views are on this topic as well.
 
This summit was originally planned to only cover geese issues.  We have broadened the summit to include 'Tips on living with wildlife,'  in order to address beliefs the public has, such as 'Do all raccoons carry rabies?' and  'How dangerous are coyotes?' etc, in light of recent coyote sightings in Westchester which are reported with alarm by the media.  With a NYC killing of geese on June 19 in a sneak attack by the USDA, and troubling events like it in Westchester, this event comes at a perfect time to serve as an educational forum and a reminder to treat wildlife with respect and kindness.  
 
There will be an in-person demonstration of the Goosinator by county officials, the Geesebusters method currently being used in Scarsdale,  and several other 'deterrent' methods such as the decoy coyote, an artificial 'predator' alligator, as well as an overview of egg oiling and habitat 'modification.'
 
We will also discuss the use of the Naturesweep cleaning system, avian birth control, address the truth about 'donations' of geese flesh to the poor, question whether there really is an 'overpopulation' of geese, and debunk the supposed 'health hazard' the geese pose to humans.   Video of a USDA geese roundup will be shown, which the public rarely sees.  Frank Vincenti of Wild Dog Foundation will educate the public on common sense tips for avoiding conflicts with coyotes while treating them with respect and intelligence.
 
Kiley Blackman, Founder of Westchester4Geese said, 'The geese and all the wildlife in the area are the reason many people move to this area in the first place.  The animals enrich our lives; they have been driven from their homes by urban sprawl, but they have a right to live here too.  This is wonderful opportunity for Westchester municipalities to join together in a compassionate effort to learn about how to live with all their neighbors - without shaming and embarrassing their venues with plans to violently slaughter sentient beings who have committed no crime; who only want to live and survive like the rest of us.'
 
Senator Latimer agrees.  "It is important to make sure that every point of view is heard before making a decision on a community issue,' he states.  "This summit is an excellent opportunity for local officials to gain information about humane treatment and partnership with the wildlife populations in the region."