Good news about Live Animals
Good News: Bill Introduced to Shut Live Animal Markets in NYS
by Linda DeStefano
Translated into Spanish by Rob English
As described in my May column, live animal markets are a major source of virus transmission from animals to humans.
These are also called wet markets because of the blood, feces and water on surfaces as these animals are killed on the spot and sold to shoppers on the premises. In China, many wildlife species are captured from their natural home and subjected to the cruelty of cramped, filthy conditions – and then a brutal death. In NYS, it is mostly domesticated animals who are killed and sold on the spot, such as, fowl, goats, rabbits and cows. The law also allows wild animals to be sold at live markets in NY – fish, crustaceans, and some species of turtles and frogs. There are more than 80 live markets in NYC. Even in Syracuse, there is a building at the CNY Regional Market which slaughters and sells birds.
Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal and State Senator Luis Sepúlveda have introduced A.10399/S.8291, which would immediately close live markets in NYS. The bill would also establish a task force to examine whether it is possible to establish regulations which would make it safe for these markets to eventually reopen. Based on past inadequate enforcement of regulations, re-opening would probably not be safe. However, there are powerful business interests and consumers who will fight this proposed legislation. It’s therefore imperative that state legislators hear from people who want to see this law passed. Please contact your member of the Assembly and state Senate to ask them to co-sponsor this bill. If you don’t know who your state legislators are, you can find out by calling the Onondaga County Board of Elections or the Board of Elections in whatever county you reside. The Onondaga County Board of Elections is reached at (315)435-8683 or www.ongov.net/elections.
Linda is President of People for Animal Rights. If you would like a brochure about the organization and a sample of our newsletter, contact us at PAR, P.O. Box 15358, Syracuse 13215-0358, people4animalrightgscny@gmail.com or (315)488-PURR (7877).