Death and the Oxen
To the Editor, Valley News (Lebanon, N.H. & White River Junction, Vt.):
In offering his perspective on killing as part of animal farming (“Death Is Always on the Farm Schedule,” Dec. 23), Chuck Wooster retold the story of Green Mountain College and their oxen Bill and Lou.
Wooster neglected to mention the actual issue in the matter — namely, at least two sanctuaries offered to take Bill and Lou to live out the rest of their lives in peaceful retirement with veterinary care that was not compromised by considerations of future edibility.
The issue became Green Mountain College’s adamant refusal to let Bill and Lou, whom they claimed to love, thus retire to a sanctuary.
There was no necessity driving that decision — neither economic, medical, nor dietary. Given a choice between life and death, the college chose needless death.
Eric Rosenbloom
environment, environmentalism, animal rights, vegetarianism, veganism, Vermont
