On Monday, May 4, New York lawmakers introduced a new bill to shut down live animal ‘wet’ markets throughout the state. These types of markets can easily facilitate the spread of deadly zoonotic disease, and banning them is essential to preventing future pandemics, according to experts.
Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF – Manhattan) and S. Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (D/Bronx) sponsored the legislation, which is a response to the speculation that the coronavirus pandemic originally spread from wildlife held at a live animal market in Wuhan, China.
“In a matter of weeks, COVID-19 has ravaged New York and changed life for millions of New Yorkers,” Rosenthal said in a press release. “As policymakers, we have a responsibility to respond to this crisis by doing everything in our power to prevent the next pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption and despair across the globe, and we remain vulnerable to future crises if we do not take action to tackle the root causes.”
“Although COVID-19 originated in China, it could have come from anywhere. Our focus should be addressing the root of the problem. It is not the ‘where,’ but is the ‘what,’” said Judie Mancuso, founder and president of Social Compassion in Legislation, who is spearheading the advocacy efforts in New York and California. “This virus could have originated in any country that exploits and commodifies animals including right here in the USA. Humanity as a whole owns this virus as we continually exploit animals and allow the threat to continue.”
There are currently over 80 live animal markets in New York City alone, which is especially dangerous considering the city’s dense population of over 8 million residents. Many of these markets pop up next to homes, schools and public spaces, making it almost impossible for people to avoid coming dangerously close to animals who may be carrying infectious diseases.
Lady Freethinker applauds the proposed legislation, for the sake of animal welfare and human health.
A full ban on New York ‘wet’ markets is within our reach, but we need to keep up the pressure. To all those who have already made your voices heard, thank you. To those who haven’t yet, sign our petition urging New York State lawmakers to immediately impose a statewide ban on these hazardous markets.
SIGN: Immediately Shut Down All Live Animal ‘Wet’ Markets in New York
It’s time to Educate people to be Kind & compassionate than to be merciless & cruel to any living being. This type of unethical inhumane mistreating, while imprisoning these poor animals simply to gain the money & profit is NOT THE WAY TO LIVE A LIFE AS A HUMAN. Please BAN ALL of these unworthy ways of finding money while torturing & finally committing Blood baths in such, so called Wet markets.
We need do something to stop this before it’s to late. It’s in human.Before the next virus wipes out human race. It just a matter of time. God help us .
BAN, cruelty needs to STOP.
Ban all these horrific markets now!
No podemos seguir así, con tanta maldad con los animalitos…
How many deranged people are there in this world??
This must stop. It is cruel to the animals and it is dangerous to humanity.
BAN THIS CRUELTY!!!
The source of many diseases is in factory farms and ranches involving meats of any and all kinds…
I feel they belonged being shut down for good. Bottom line the live stock farmers Must be made to treat these animals with respect , care , and not separate the mother and babies – not forcing pregnancy, No murdering babies because they are small ,no abuse allowed! If we must have meat – these farmers and handlers MUST BE DONE IN A HUMANE MANNER!
These type of markets need to be shut down United States needs to be the first to put a stop to this it’s inhumane people who have this type of market should be put in jail. Epidemic that we’re having right now it’s the cause of this it’s the root of all evil. If we don’t do something t it going to be too late
These type of markets need to be shut down United States needs to be the first to put a stop to this it’s inhumane people who have this type of market should be put in jail. Epidemic that we’re having right now it’s the cause of this it’s the root of all evil. If we don’t do something too late
People are going over bord with eating animals you shouldn’t eat. Dogs are all victims of people hands it’s real sad.
THESE PEOPLE ARE JUST SO CRUEL TO ANIMALS.
WE NEED TO BE CRUEL TO THESE PEOPLE.
voters in NY should keep track of those who support this much needed bill.
Shut down all animal and wet markets now!!!
Shut down the cruel, filthy wet markets! Shame on New York!!
Cruel
As a UK citizen I was shocked to learn that ‘wet’ markets exist in America as I thought this only happened in Asia.Surely now is the time to ban them worldwide.
Should be in all states
If white people would start and sell live animals in those horrific wet markets, they would be close even before they sell one animal. But hey, let’s not offend those Asian so called tradition and culture.
These ongoing atrocities must STOP for good!
It’s all unnecessary, cruel & are soulless acts of greed!
These ongoing atrocities must STOP for good!
It’s all unnecessary, cruel & are soulless acts of greed!
Ban animal markets
Wet markets are extremely cruel to animals. Unfortunately we have them here in Sydney as well.
Shut down all live wet markets!!! It’s shameful that this even exists in our country.
Yes
I’m alarmed and revolted to know that “wet.markets” exist in North America, not just Asia. Shut them down. People seem to get that they’re dangerous and deadly to humans ( Covid-19 ) , but many folks don’t get that it’s also extreme Animal Torture and Murder. I’m here to stick up for the animal’s point of view.
How would you like it , if someone dismembered your body alive, butchered you, ignored your terror, then maybe boiled you or cooked you when you can’t say anything ?
It’s animal cruelty and murder.
We are not in the business of having “wet markets” in America. We are not an Asian country, we need to rid all of the evil practices that this country has done for many years. And, I am sure that God is permitting this pandemic for us to have a taste of what is to come to this earth when he returns.
Animals are God’s not ours, we are given cats, dogs, and other pets for love and companionship not for food.
I realize that we slaughter cattle and cows, chickens, lambs, it needs to STOP.
Father Doug Bilyeu
HOPE MINISTRIES
Wallingford, PA
Live markets Wet Markets MUST ALL BE ERADICATED FROM THE PLANET EARTH. FOREVER! They are filthy, bacteria and virus ridden unsanitary cesspools inhabited by UNCIVILIZED dimwit morons.
BAN ALL LIVE AND WET-MARKETS.