Westchester Winter Wonderland Bans Pony, Camel Rides After PETA Appeal

Westchester Parks Foundation Nabs Box of Vegan Chocolates in Thanks for Compassionate Decision

For Immediate Release:
January 9, 2018

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

A box of delicious vegan chocolates is on its way from PETA to the Westchester Parks Foundation for pledging not to feature camel and pony rides again at its seasonal Westchester Winter Wonderland festival. The compassionate decision comes after PETA informed the foundation’s executive director about the cruelty and safety risks inherent in animal rides.

“The world is no wonderland for camels and ponies forced to carry people on their backs for hours,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Westchester Parks Foundation did the right thing by agreeing to nix these cruel rides, and PETA is calling on festivals nationwide to follow suit and feature fabulous human entertainment only.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—notes that animals used in traveling exhibits are routinely subjected to the stress of transport, disorienting environments, and mishandling. Camels—who are shy, skittish animals—are deprived of everything that’s natural and important to them when they’re used for entertainment, and ponies used for rides endure loud noises and interactions with small children, which can be extremely distressing for them. Additionally, animals used for rides or in petting zoos may carry a variety of potentially deadly zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.