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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.

Westchester County legislature passes anti-circus law for entire county 'Wild and exotic animals' at circuses, rodeo tools banned by unanimous vote

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 15, 2020

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

Westchester County legislature passes anti-circus law for entire county 'Wild and exotic animals' at circuses, rodeo tools banned by unanimous vote.

Westchester County, NY April 15, 2020 Animal Defenders of Westchester is pleased to announce that, after years of lobbying and humane outreach, the Westchester Board of Legislators has passed a law banning 'wild and exotic' animals at circuses by unanimous vote. The new law also bans various tools and equipment used during rodeos.

This ban, sponsored by Legislator Damon Maher, brings Westchester in line with the same law passed in NYC two years ago, as well as in New Jersey and several other venues across the U.S. It was first proposed to the Westchester BOL in 2005, and heard by legislators Jose Alvarado and Judy Myers; the issue had essentially lay dormant since then, despite efforts to advance it, till Rep. Maher expressed interest in actually composing a bill.

Legislator Damon Maher, (D- Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe), said, "These animals don't show up at circus offices looking for work. They don’t choose to live in cages. They are made to jump through hoops literally, often through the use of cruel, physically coercive techniques. In some cases, stressed animals have even broken free, endangering the public. With this legislation, Westchester finally will be joining the ranks of those states, counties, cities and countries who have acted to end the misuse of these creatures.”

Kiley Blackman, founder of ADOW, said, "We are deeply indebted to Rep. Damon Maher for having the courage and decency to speak out and formally address this issue. This signals a profound advancement for Westchester as a compassionate, intelligent community willing to learn and make changes for the good of all, including those who have no voice and no choice. We thank the entire Board of Legislators for voting unanimously in favor of this ban, and making us proud to be part of it. We look forward to many more kind, thoughtful efforts by the BOL to include stopping the sale of foie gras, the use of miserable, abusive puppy mills here, and the outrageous overreach of USDA/Wildlife Services, which goes well beyond its' scope as far as into the Town of Greenburgh, to randomly and cruelly kill birds in the name of airport 'protection' in West Harrison.

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