Published in the Brattleboro Reformer
Monday, April 27, 2020
Hooray for the heifers! At least for those who will not be force-marched this June up Brattleboro’s Main Street at the (canceled) Strolling of the Heifers parade.
Unfortunately, these animals will not escape the life of serial forced impregnation, which keeps them lactating and producing milk — milk intended by nature for their own babies.
During the heifers’ shortened lives, their babies will be taken from them at birth. Their female offspring will suffer the same fate as their mothers; their male babies, after a few months of agonized confinement, will be killed for veal. Then, the worn-out mothers will be slaughtered for hamburger.
Although the cancellation of the parade will be good for the calves who will not have to “stroll” on the hot pavement, compassionate people who wish to educate the public about the abuse and cruelty of the dairy industry have lost an opportunity to provide parade goers with the truth of the heartbreaking life awaiting the heifers, and all other dairy cows.
Jack Hurley
Claremont, N.H.