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MCC Daily Tribune

Adjunct Associate Professor Joel Helfrich discusses animal rights on WXXI's "Connections" radio program

On July 24, adjunct associate professor Joel Helfrich appeared on WXXI's "Connections" radio program to discuss animal rights and the recent passage of legislation in New York State that bans the declawing of felines. A misnomer, cat "declawing" is actually the amputation of a cat's toe up to the first joint. As Jennifer Honickman of the League of Humane Voters of New York stated in a press release, "Declawing doesn't just remove nails. It's the equivalent of removing our finger tips to the first joint. It's a painful amputation that causes lifelong issues."

During the radio interview, Helfrich also described oodles of other needed changes and potential legislation to support animals, animal welfare, and ultimately animal liberation. To listen to the interview, visit: https://www.wxxinews.org/post/connections-discussing-animal-bill-rights

As Helfrich pointed out during the interview, in 1866, New York became the first state in the Western Hemisphere to both create an animal rights organization (the U.S.'s first SPCA) and establish animal rights legislation. In July 2019, New York established a ban on the surgical declawing of felines, placing New York State again at the forefront of humane animal treatment laws. Many New Yorkers hope that the passage of A1303B/S5532B will be the first of many laws to protect non-human animals in this state and create a snowball effect that will lead to additional legislation at the national level.

Joel Helfrich
Anthrop/History/Poli. Science/Sociology; ESOL/TRS
07/31/2019