Dear Editor,
WHOORAH!
&
amp;#8194;I’m so glad to read the news on the Westfield Mall
project because Gilroy doesn’t need a humongous mall. We have so
many empty retail buildings and office buildings as it is!
Animal welfare nothing to dismiss with an ancient agrarian fantasy
Dear Editor,
A few myths perpetrated in the column by Mario Banuelos published Feb. 22 need to be dispelled.
Contrary to what he says, most people are indeed very much in agreement as to what constitutes “inhumane treatment” with regard to any sentient being. The only disagreement is whether it should be allowed or not.  For Mr. Banuelos to equate the methods used to move a one-ton bull on a ranch to what transpires in a rodeo/charreada/circus arena – spurs, flank straps, electric prods, tail twisting, tasers, tripping, wrestling, bull hooks, etc. – is a non sequitur. We are no longer operating in a pastoral family farm fantasy, where animals were treated humanely with respect and kindness.
Today, as he experienced with his son’s friend, the “disconnect” from where our food comes from has led to factory farms and CAFO’s – that not only are harming the environment (air quality impacts, well and ground water contamination, disease, etc.), but also are rife with animal cruelty. That chicken killed for the family dinner probably roamed free on the farm, a far cry from battery cages used today. The total disconnect is in any activities that snap calves’ necks, twist tails, trip unsuspecting animals, spur them, and cinch flank straps tightly for exploitation and entertainment, while hiding behind non-existent values. 
We know there is a nature deficit disorder with much less time being spent outdoors. However, going into the woods to enjoy nature does not require hunting and fishing, that kills the best of the gene pool and leaves animals maimed, wounded and crippled. Experiencing nature via hiking or camping is much more respectful and beneficial; capturing it with camera, leaves it for everyone else.
Mr. Banuelos got one thing right: People need to be educated to appreciate animals and their natural habitats. They would then know that it is not “natural” to terrorize and abuse animals for entertainment and profit. Circuses, rodeos, charreadas, dog and cock fights, and other unacceptable deviant inhumane activities that inflict barbaric suffering on animals must be stopped.
Animal welfare advocates oppose these kinds of cruelty, terror and torture being foisted upon animals and recognize the well-documented connection between animal and human abuse. When people are educated as to what really goes on with circuses, rodeos, and charreadas, the barbaric practices will stop.  
Mike Finch, Morgan Hill
Happy to hear the news that the ‘humongous’ mall won’t be built
Dear Editor,
WHOORAH! I’m so glad to read the news on the Westfield Mall project because Gilroy doesn’t need a humongous mall. We have so many empty retail buildings and office buildings as it is!
Crystal Mickler, Gilroy
Thieves are a ‘heartless group’ who should be left in prison
Dear Editor,
With 92% of the criminals having prior records, it’s clear that we have a completely ineffective penalty system.
If criminals were not released from prison they could not repeat their crimes. I have been a victim of copper theft and have not been able to replace the missing downspouts and gutter because of the cost. Thieves are a heartless group who destroy peoples lives and have no remorse.
Ron Fehr, Gilroy
