LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Local farm petting zoo is animal cruelty

On a trip this past weekend to purchase produce at a farm in Danbury, I was disheartened to see that they had added a seasonal “petting zoo” to their outdoor display. Among the baby animals was a baby cow being used for photo ops with children on his back. Too young to be away from his mother, the baby cow was clearly confused and freighted by the activity.

Animals are no different than humans in their ability to experience stress and fear. Environments that prevent animals from being able to exhibit natural behaviors are inhumane. Even if they are being tended, sitting in a pen or cage, with people poking, hugging, photographing or riding them is not natural for farm animals, especially babies.

There are many wonderful ways to enjoy the fall season, such as apple picking, corn mazes and leaf peeping. I would encourage everyone, especially those with children, to seek out the tastes, smells and beauty of the fall but not to patronize establishments with a “petting zoo” or animal “display” of any type. Simply put, this is animal cruelty. Cheryl A. Rykowski

Danbury

Things are getting politically intense between the states

Way back in 1861 we had a horrific war in the U.S. called the Civil War, brothers fighting brothers, and states fighting against states, a profound tragedy for sure. And today? Thank God we don’t have the magnitude of those lost souls (moer than 600,000 perished).

But a comparison can be made, I believe, with the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic and let’s not forget all the chaos erupting by recent police shootings and advocates suggesting to defund the police. From a political viewpoint, this seems to have reignited tensions between states with regards to who is allowed to go where, when will we be allowed to re-open our business, when will schools open, just to name a few concerns.

What I see is another reminder of how politically intense things can get, as they are today, between what we call the Red and Blue states. Hopefully on Nov. 3rd we will finally be able to come together again as one nation under God with liberty and justice for all! Richard Allen

Danbury