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.

Any upgrade to animal rights should be welcome

Letter as published on NYDailyNews.com
July 15, 2025

Tuckahoe, N.Y.: How sad that the Daily News chose to take aim at a court decision that might have significantly helped the plight of animals, who are the victims of our greed, cruelty, neglect and avarice (“When the law goes to the dogs,” editorial, June 22). It’s not a surprise — The News is the only paper that proudly supports the corrupt, cruelty-laden carriage horse industry.

The News will defend the rights of criminals, illegal aliens, riots disguised as peaceful protests, etc., but damn those folks politely seeking change for the littlest of us — those who can’t speak but have the right to live in peace. You could have chosen to say nothing and let this issue play out in the courts, but why not contribute to even more vitriol instead, since the animals can’t defend themselves against it?

Your editorial didn’t go far enough. You should go after the few pitiful laws that barely protect these innocents. You can torture and kill farm animals with almost zero penalties, and the few laws enacted to protect companion animals still grant most abusers leniency. And of course, the wildlife “management” agencies — run by hunters for hunters based on laws enacted almost 100 years ago — guarantee that it’s open season on wildlife everywhere. Contrary to your pseudo-cutesy headline, the law didn’t “go to the dogs,” it went away from them — sent them back to cower fearfully in front of abusers who know they’ll get a slap on the wrist if caught; even though the courts have concluded that companion animals are members of the family. A grant of personhood might not stop the abuse, but it would help.

Kiley Blackman

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