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Please act now to save Bill and Lou, two oxen

October 9, 2012
by

Wikimedia Commons, not Bill or Lou

BACKGROUND

Green Mountain College is poised to kill two oxen named Bill and Lou who have served their college farm for ten long years. ACT NOW to prevent it!

Bill and Lou have been a working team of oxen at Green Mountain College in Poultney, VT for ten years. They were pressed into service by staff at Cerridwen Farm – the teaching farm on campus – to do everything from plowing fields to generating electricity. Over the years, they became so well loved that they’re even the profile picture for the farm’s Facebook page!

A few months ago, Lou became unable to be worked any longer. Bill won’t work with anyone else. Therefore, the college has concluded that both of them must be killed.

DEATH is their reward for 10 long years of hard work.

Yes, Green Mountain College has decided that Bill and Lou’s long lives of service should be rewarded by their slaughter – and for what? According to their own press releases, the school will get, at best, a couple of months of low-grade hamburger out of their bodies.

This is especially heartbreaking because they have an excellent home waiting for them.

VINE Sanctuary has offered to provide Bill and Lou with permanent homes. VINE has the ability and resources to care for them for the rest of their natural lives. Sadly, though, the college is determined to kill them instead.

For ten years, they served the needs of those more powerful than they are.

Now it’s time to let them serve their own needs.

Please contact the folks at Green Mountain College and urge them to reconsider. It would be especially powerful for people from Vermont to contact them, so if you know someone from Vermont, please forward this notice to them as well. Feel free to use and/or modify the letter below, or write your own.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Email block

throopw@greenmtn.edu , mulderk@greenmtn.edu

Individual

Bill Throop Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs: throopw@greenmtn.edu

Kenneth Mulder Farm Manager, Research Associate & Adjunct Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies: mulderk@greenmtn.edu


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Provost Throop and Manager Mulder:

I am writing to urge you to allow Bill and Lou to live out the remainder of their natural lives, in peace and contentment, at VINE Sanctuary, a reputable organization which has offered to care for them.

Should you choose to reverse their death sentences, the rewards garnered by Green Mountain College will far exceed whatever paltry sum their slaughter would bring to the school.

Conversely, whatever small amount of cash would be made by killing them will be far outweighed by the negative press which will follow in the wake of their deaths.

Bill and Lou have served your college well for ten long years. Students and faculty alike have expressed how much they care about these individuals. They deserve to be given the rest of their lives to live as they choose. Just because they are not human does not mean they do not care about their existence.

We will be watching to see what decision you make.

Sincerely,

NAME


how would you feel if you had to retire,
and the powers that be decided you
should expire.
bill and lou are living creatures,
with feelings like yours, just
different features.
please allow VINE sanctuary
to give them a chance
to live a safe, leisurely life,
on their wonderful expanse.
thank you for reading my heart
felt poem.
for bill and lou’s sake
i sure hope it hits home

Karen Lyons Kalmenson


106 Comments leave one →
  1. karenlyonskalmenson permalink
    October 9, 2012 2:22 pm

    how would you feel if you had to retire,
    and the powers that be decided you
    should expire.
    bill and lou are living creatures,
    with feelings like yours, just
    different features.
    please allow VINE sanctuary
    to give them a chance
    to live a safe, leisurely life,
    on their wonderful expanse.
    thank you for reading my heart
    felt poem.
    for bill and lou’s sake
    i sure hope it hits home

    Like

  2. SHIREEN permalink
    October 9, 2012 2:38 pm

    I DO HOPE THESE PEOPLE WILL SAVE THESE TWO OXEN, THEY SHOULD NOT BE KILLED BUT ALLOWED TO GO TO THE SANCTUARY WHO OFFERED TO HAVE THEM.

    Like

  3. MARIA SONIA ESTRADA SOLERO permalink
    October 9, 2012 3:17 pm

    SERIA UNA TERRIBLE CRUELDAD , UNA INGRATITUD TERRORIFICA , MATAR A BILL Y LOU , PERO EL SER HUMANO ES CAPAZ DE LAS MAYORES SALVAJADAS . ESPERO QUE ESTOS INOCENTES Y AMABLES ANIMALES VIVAN EL RESTO DE SUS VIDAS APACIBLEMENTE EN UN SANTUARIO . OS QUEREMOS , BILL Y LOU .

    Like

  4. clifford/christine schmutz permalink
    October 9, 2012 3:52 pm

    LET VINO SANCTUARY HAVE THE OXEN!

    Like

  5. October 9, 2012 4:27 pm

    Wonderful animals. So gentle and sweet. Good parents, love their people.

    Like

  6. October 9, 2012 9:01 pm

    Boycott the College and expose them to the MAX..

    Like

  7. October 9, 2012 10:08 pm

    DONE! Greedy bastards!

    Like

  8. Moiselle Bruns permalink
    October 9, 2012 11:09 pm

    Please let the sanctuary take them! Learn from the negative press American Museum of Agriculture got!!

    Like

  9. Noelle Castro permalink
    October 10, 2012 12:02 am

    What kind of eduactional facility is a college that can even contemplate this??

    Like

  10. INESSE DIEHR permalink
    October 10, 2012 12:33 am

    THIS MUST STOP. HOW DARE THESE PEOPLE EVEN CONSIDER SUCH A THING. THEY HAD BETTER BE READY FOR MANY PEOPLE PREVENTING THEM BY GIVING THEM A BAD NAME. THAT WOULD REALLY GIVE THEM A BAD REPUTATION, FOR SURE.

    Like

  11. Jody permalink
    October 10, 2012 12:52 am

    What a terrible decision and terrible role models!

    Like

  12. SWS permalink
    October 10, 2012 2:12 am

    That’s truly pathetic, these noble creatures have given these ppl the best years of their lives and deserve to retire in peace and tranquility

    Like

  13. georgia havers permalink
    October 10, 2012 3:19 am

    A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the “Universe,” a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.
    —Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
    .

    Like

  14. October 10, 2012 7:07 am

    it has come to my attention that these two creatures that have served you for ten years are to now be made into burgers and meat for your campas, this is not a joke but heartless and disgusting please let them see out the rest of their lives at VINE SANCTUARY who are offering them a loving home.
    for a body of “educated” folk with degrees to joke about this shows not an once of wisdom, integrity nor compassion.
    prayerfully you will reconsider
    in hope

    Like

  15. Paul skinner permalink
    October 10, 2012 7:39 am

    There no need for this what’s so ever

    Like

  16. Jeff Riney permalink
    October 10, 2012 9:59 am

    I feel a great sadness in my heart that you feel you need to kill these two beings rather than let them go to a loving home for the rest of their lives. Shame on YOU!!!!!!

    Like

  17. Deborah permalink
    October 10, 2012 8:26 pm

    These animals deserve life!! Please allow them to live there life out on a sanctuary and give them what is so deserving. What is wrong with the Human race? Have we forgotton that animals have feelings too!

    Like

  18. Diane Smith permalink
    October 11, 2012 4:18 am

    How could you after all they have given to your college SHAME ON YOU

    Like

  19. October 11, 2012 12:14 pm

    Oxen pulled our covered wagons out west to the new frontier…..they were the backbone of the migration West. They are a part of our American History! There is a place for them to live out the rest of their lives at a sanctuary. Why on earth kill them???Money hungry college!! Do your students know they will be slaughtered! And how do they feel about this awful decision their college has made for them.

    Like

    • Taylor permalink
      October 13, 2012 10:05 pm

      I am a student at the college who fully supports the students and faculty’s joint decision to put these beloved animals down.
      Oxen pulled our covered wagons out west, they were the backbone of everything that we now know to be the west. Most of our relatives that moved out west would have died of starvation through the long winters. “Patty Reed, eight year old member of the Donner-Reed Party of 1846 recalled how her mother “took the ox hide we had used for a roof and boiled it for us to eat” when the party was stranded by an early snowfall in the high Sierras. ” Others recall eating their beloved trail mates and hard working friends to stay alive and to nourish their children. These people were not money hungry and neither are we. We are simply doing what we feel is the best thing to keep us and our GMC family alive.
      If you’re going to use history as a reason to keep these animals alive please be accurate and honest with all of the facts so the good people of these forums can make an intelligent informed decision about the fate of these animals.

      Like

      • Loren permalink
        October 21, 2012 1:47 pm

        What do you mean by “doing what we feel is the best thing to keep us and our GMC family alive?” Does the college need financial help?

        Like

      • Bernel Kress permalink
        November 1, 2012 7:22 pm

        Taylor, Honey, that was a very loooong time ago. We as Americans have evolved to better ways. They ate their animals out of shear necessity or face starvation. That is not the case now nor is it a matter of starvation for you and the college members. Come out of the past and get into reality. If you were faced with a diet situation as our settlers often were, by all means eat your animals. But that is not the case here.

        Like

        • Joyce Wood permalink
          November 1, 2012 9:34 pm

          Bernel Kress, Right ON!!! I mean really, covered wagons???

          Like

  20. Anne Dillon permalink
    October 11, 2012 1:30 pm

    Call the college and make a stink, which is what I just did. Maybe if enough of us call, the animals won’t be put down. Kevin Coburn can be reached at (802) 287-8926. He is the Director of Press Relations. He told me that the animals are going to be put down “later this month.”

    Like

  21. ljbain permalink
    October 11, 2012 1:43 pm

    Next thing you know they will kill and stuff tem!! Oh wait, that’s already been done!

    Like

  22. OmniVore permalink
    October 11, 2012 2:53 pm

    Pam,
    ” Do your students know they will be slaughtered! And how do they feel about this awful decision their college has made for them.”

    It was students on the farm crew that deliberated on this decision, the farm crew came to a consensus on this issue. Additionally this hasn’t been a flippant decision and has been in the works for approximately a year.

    What is interesting is how big a deal this is OFF campus but not ON campus. There was a community forum where it was discussed and again the students understand, accepted and agreed that slaughter was the best option.

    GMC and Cerridwen farm are teaching institutions and the focus is on sustainability. The farm teaches students sustainable agriculture on a small scale and the reality is that animals go to slaughter on a farm.

    If all of you opposed to this idea were to pool your resources and offer to buy the oxen for the same price that they stand to garner has ground beef, the farm/college may very well agree to the sale. Then you could donate them yourselves to VINE.

    But to think that the farm should suffer an economic loss by gifting the animals to VINE or worse yet keeping them on the farm and being responsible for their care, that idea is just not steeped in the realities of farming.

    Like

    • Estie Kretschmer permalink
      October 23, 2012 11:12 am

      When people talk about “the best decision” – the best, for whom?? Not the animals in question!
      Who are we, arrogant species, than we put ourselves in charge of life & death of other creatures?
      This is another “nutshell” of what ails Man currently – the inflated ego and belief that might is right, and screw morals.
      If Man paid more time on SERVING the Earth and its creatures, and less time about thinking how Earth and its creatures can serve HIM, we would be in much less strive than we currently – and SO predictably – find ourselves.

      Like

  23. OmniVore permalink
    October 11, 2012 3:05 pm

    Additionally I feel there are some corrections that need to be made.

    1. Pressed into service is a bit of a stretch considering that Bill & Lou were malnourished when they came to GMC as rescue animals.

    2. 10 Years of long service is also a stretch. As early as 2008 Bill & Lou were essentially campus pets and only periodically pulled a farm cart down the street to the farmers market, once a week during the summer months. To say they were worked hard for 10 years is just not true.

    3. “Low grade hamburger” is pretty offensive to the oxen considering that Bill & Lou are grass fed organically raised beef, it is also healthier to eat that versus feed lot beef.
    The campus is going to consume beef one way or the other, if it is from Bill & Lou, that is two less months of meat that has to be bought from a megafarm/feed lot.

    Both the author of this article and those of you commenting have no idea about this situation other than brief soundbites. To say that this was an easy decision to make for the college and those involved shows that many of you have no knowledge of this situation at all.

    Like

    • Joyce Wood permalink
      October 24, 2012 3:12 pm

      The decision is a wrong and bad decision!!!!!!!!!!

      Like

  24. byron owens permalink
    October 12, 2012 6:02 pm

    Bill and Lou feel, and so do we who have made them work so hard for years. Please allow them to enjoy easy older years, in the name of gratitude and compassion. God bless them and you.

    Like

  25. katie permalink
    October 13, 2012 6:56 pm

    Does anyone know how to go about collecting money for bill and lou (so they can be bought and given to the sanctuary)?? i would gladly give money if that is what this school wants so bill and lou can be saved. I cant stop thinking about this and its breaking my heart.

    Like

    • Joyce Wood permalink
      November 1, 2012 9:37 pm

      I would be glad to contribute to save Bill and Lou as well if someone knows how to do it!!

      Like

      • Duane permalink
        November 2, 2012 1:46 am

        Hi Joyce, Good point. Not too much is being said about who would pay for the save. And thanks for the kindly response to the covered wagon post. You said what we were all thinking

        Like

  26. Taylor permalink
    October 13, 2012 9:55 pm

    Has anyone published that Lou is in extreme pain due to an unavoidable injury and if left to live out his older years (at GMC, the Vine sanctuary or anywhere else on earth) would be in excruciating pain for the rest of his life? Has anyone brought up the fact that if we put Lou down and let Bill live on until he dies of old age that he will be losing his life long partner and will die alone and old or young and with a broken heart? Has anyone on this forum thought about the fact that by keeping these wise and beloved animals from any further pain and suffering, by putting them in our dining hall, we are honoring them and keeping them alive, through our own souls and our own flesh for years to come? They have lived a beautiful life filled with love and purpose and now their purpose is to live on in us not to live on in pain on foreign land.

    Like

    • Dawn permalink
      October 23, 2012 1:40 pm

      Live on in you? Wow, that’s pretty damn disgusting

      Like

  27. Gera C permalink
    October 15, 2012 6:35 am

    Well done guys for letting the world know about Bill and Lou. Have sent email to both, I do hope they will see that Bil and Lou are so loved and will find the love in their hearts to allow them to live the rest of their lives in peace and dignity. Thankyou for caring.
    Gera C. England

    Like

    • Joyce Wood permalink
      November 1, 2012 9:39 pm

      I am beginning to think they have no hearts!! Just the thought of them being slaughtered and eaten makes me sick!!

      Like

  28. October 17, 2012 7:36 pm

    Do any of you know what has actually taken place on the GMC campus? Do you even know where Poultney VT is….or are you all from other countries…like the petition signers?

    I am a graduate student in Sustainable Food Systems at GMC. Part of the curriculum is farming, sustainable farming. Where do you think meat comes from? It comes from animals, and most, unlike Bill and Lou, do not have lives where they eat pastured grass, work ( which by the way is what oxen were bred and evolved to do) and enjoy a pleasant life. Most of your meat comes from CAFO’s. Where the animals live horrible tortured and very short lives, until they are taken to slaughter houses where they are poked and prodded until death. The meat you buy at the grocery store is the one you should be petitioning against. Not the well thought out, sustainable and humane end of Bill and Lou’s lives.

    Please educate yourselves

    http://www.themeatrix.com/

    Like

    • katie permalink
      October 17, 2012 7:42 pm

      Most of us are against factory farming i think..but killing bill and lou for a month of non factory meat only to go back to it is after the ” month of burgers” is not sustainable, humane nor does it make sense…

      Like

      • October 18, 2012 5:08 am

        No, how silly of me, it is much more sustainable, humane and sensible to let two old oxen limp around a field for another year, unable plow (which is what they love to do) get more overweight and out of shape. All the while watching them suffer as their vitality fades, and then when they inevitably die just bury them in a hole in the ground and let them rot…….

        Like

      • Bernel Kress permalink
        November 1, 2012 7:24 pm

        Maryann, with proper medical attention these oxen could live happy healthy pain free lives. We have veterinary care nowadays that could provide for these boys.

        Like

        • Duane permalink
          November 2, 2012 1:38 am

          If you are a student at this school and think that your mascot should die…you are a little simple and an ass. Get some animal house spirit and make a difference. Make a stand and show some value for life! To think any different is old school. Come up with creative ways to save Bill and Lou.

          Like

    • Joyce Wood permalink
      October 24, 2012 3:16 pm

      You need to educate yourselves!! I am Vegan. I eat no meat and no dairy products by choice!! You are making a very bad decison to eat these animals!! They need to be allowed to live out their lives at the Sanctuary where they will be cared for and loved for the rest of their lives. They deserve to finish out their lives with a little dignity. Animals have feelings too!!!

      Like

  29. Adi Dev permalink
    October 19, 2012 5:00 pm

    After a life of exploitation and slavery you want to kill them and eat them.
    You are REPUGNANT and you don’t deserve to be called human beings.

    Like

  30. William baylis permalink
    October 19, 2012 5:04 pm

    Slaughtering 2 oxen for what purpose? I can’t believe that mature adults would actually consider this… would you do this to your grandparents or parents? please allow them to live out the lives and die naturally and with dignity

    Like

  31. Dianne permalink
    October 19, 2012 7:36 pm

    I am a fellow college educator and have worked in the education system since 1998. I have also spoken in public settings on sustainability. And I openly and publicly state the following: humanity has long used and abused animals for purposes of research, advertisement, and food purposes. These two animals that you have chosen as mascots deserve respect as a representative in education. The fact that you have ignored the opportunity for them to live out the rest of their days in peace, truly disappoints me as an educator. The example that we set as educators is one of the most crucial things we have in our society at this time. I encourage you to rethink your motives and consider the serendipitous clues that the universe is giving you. Sometimes, in education we get caught up in the commercialism and system structure. I implore you to search your soul and listen to the passion of the people who have asked you to spare their lives. I implore you to take 10 minutes out of your day and go visit these animals. Take this time and look directly in their eyes. I challenge you to look deeply and see that they are capable of pain, suffering, excitement, happiness, anger, fear, and sadness when they lose a friend. One day, perhaps 100 years into the future, humanity will mature and stop treating animals as if they were Jews in Auschwitz. What right do we have to end the life of a friend? If you fail to see them as a friend, then I must ask you how many people have they inspired in education? Do you think they have touched the lives of many students? If you can say yes to this, then they like us have been an educator. Why punish them for inspiring people? Do not do this because you have the power to do so. Do not do this to make a political statement. Do not do this because you are making a point. Do not do this to win an argument. Show kindness to two souls who have inspired many students and now the public and fellow educators.

    Like

  32. October 20, 2012 1:49 am

    The ‘Killing’ syndrome needs Killing…….Let those two Beauties retire in peace and luxury…they’ve earned…….Every Animal Deserves Our Love and Compassion……

    Like

  33. tracey permalink
    October 20, 2012 2:34 am

    HOW MUCH TO BUY THEM OFF YOU? AS ITS OBVIOUSLY ABOUT THE MONEY YOU WILL SAVE IN MEAT. MY DAD IS A FARMER AND WHEN I SHOWED HIM THIS HE WAS DISGUSTED!!!YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. LET THEM LIVE THEIR LIVES IN PEACE AT VINE SANCTUARY.I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE SOMETHING SO HEARTLESS AS THIS. YOU HAVE NO HEART OR COMPASSION AND THATS WHAT YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR CHILDREN. SHAME ON YOU AND YOUR COLLEGE

    Like

    • Joyce Wood permalink
      October 30, 2012 3:53 pm

      You probably didn’t get an answer to your question. I feel like with you and me and all the others trying to stop the slaughter we could pay for them to be sent to the Sanctuary IF that were an option!!

      Like

      • Sharon permalink
        November 3, 2012 11:17 am

        Thank you everyone… Green Mountain College has been offered upwards of $100,000 to allow Bill & Lou to peacefully retire. Please post on Green Mountain College’s facebook page, their alumni community facebook page, and contact Vermont State Tourism, their senator, governor, news media, tweet fellow animal lovers… their comments on their fb page by the students are absolutely vile… the GMC legacy is forever tarnished.

        Like

        • Duane permalink
          November 3, 2012 3:04 pm

          I sure would help pay for Bill and Lou to go to the sanctuary…and they are not even my mascot. These beautiful guys have similar nervous systems and feel pain just like humans. People that want to eat them are not educated…scary since they are at college. I am also vegetarian and am so much healthier for this decision. Even my pitbull and rottweiler are doing supurb on vegetarian dog food. We are the change of the future. People that eat meat are in a dimension of hell. Green Valley can at least save face if they send Bill and Lou to the sanctuary. Let’s hope they do the right thing. If they don’t, I fear for the offender’s safety.

          Like

  34. Lori McRobbie permalink
    October 20, 2012 3:01 am

    Please save the oxen. They are beautiful. Please !

    Like

  35. MARIA SONIA ESTRADA permalink
    October 20, 2012 3:08 am

    RAZA HUMANA, ASESINA

    Like

  36. Laura C Tsounis permalink
    October 20, 2012 6:27 am

    People who make decisions like this, cruel
    And cold.I hope they don’t have children.
    They may forget they learn from them, what do they think thier children are learning from them? Well, it surely isn’t HUMAN COMPASION. W/ out this you surely arent whole as a person.

    Like

  37. jessica permalink
    October 20, 2012 11:43 am

    We are better than to do this to other animals!

    Like

  38. October 20, 2012 8:48 pm

    Go vegan that is the way to be sustainable !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like

  39. ida .b permalink
    October 23, 2012 9:52 am

    Let Them life please

    Like

  40. October 23, 2012 9:53 am

    I hope this campaign works. Bill and Lou are beautiful.
    Please email/call the provost.

    I really hope that the administration realizes that the public has a long memory for these sorts of things and that it could damage the reputation of the college.

    Like

  41. Estie Kretschmer permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:04 am

    I’m appealing to you to spare the lives of Bill and Lou and let them retire at the VINE animal sanctuary .

    Yes, sustainability is a very pertinent and important part of living these days, and teaching kids to live from “the land” gives them good foundation for the rest of their lives.

    Eating meat will become increasingly alien to the concept of sustainable living, as raising animals for meat is as UN-sustainable as plastic, Styrofoam, coal-powered electricity, oil and petroleum – even more so, if one compares the pollution factor.

    Slaughtering animals for meat goes completely against a sustainable profile and standard. Ignoring this, turns a sustainable profile into a blinkered one.

    Eating the meat of a dead creature also creates a grey area in the notion of “caring for the earth”, and thus, the possibility of moving on to other un-caring actions has been given a blurry, but very real basis for susceptible individuals.

    And, at the same time, respect and regard for life, ALL life, should be as integral a part of sustainable living.

    Kids should be taught that pure love (the love they have for beings that cannot repay them) should be nurtured – and it will grow into a most beautiful and life-changing experience. This, in turn, will enhance Man’s respect for nature and for himself.

    If we don’t teach KIDS the concept of love, when will they learn that life-lesson? Not in adulthood as it currently stands…

    Please listen to your heart.

    Kind regards,
    Estie (South Africa)

    Like

  42. Tonya permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:07 am

    In the day of technology where word spreads via online campaigns, which is how I heard of their plight, please realize that the final decision on what happens to them can either be a very positive one of having them released to VINE or a negative one with their slaughter. Now, what’s best for the college???

    Like

  43. Veronica Marco permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:28 am

    I simply cannot understand how College Admin and Farm Manager can be so totally
    deaf to the pleas of loving people anywhere who are begging them to rethink this
    sickening decision……how can they not see that the harm done to the College by this
    fearful act will reverberate down the years and cost them dearly.

    SAVE THESE DEAR CREATURES BILL AND LOU…. and have some humanity………
    so many of us are sickened to our soul as such purposeful cruelty and will indeed
    be watching to see if this hellish decision is changed….PLEASE….take seriously
    the terrible damage this will do…..

    Like

  44. William P. Seiden permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:30 am

    Please allow these beloved animals to live out their lives in comfort
    In a world with so little compassion wouldn’t this be a more valuable lesson to your students’? :

    Like

  45. October 23, 2012 10:34 am

    I have been following this ‘Save Bill and Lou’ ’cause’ closely and I feel very strongly that it’s wrong to slaughter these two lovely creatures who have worked all their lives for your school. It’s time we stared to value the input animals provide instead of entirely focusing on what they can do ‘next’ for us….

    I understand the food chain aspect and I realize the school may wish to be frugal…But you must consider that so many animals are killed everyday and live in brutal conditions, just to ‘feed’ man. Ones that have become ‘friends’ to the students should be spared this fate.

    Why not show some pity on dear Bill and Lou and let them live out the rest of their days in peace. Sun on their backs, ample food, the wind whistling past their ears. A chance to enjoy nature!

    Animals have spirits too- Though we often choose not to acknowledge them.

    Thanks for your consideration,

    Holly Sierra

    Like

  46. Veronica Marco permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:36 am

    I just read through some of the past posts….and it seems to me that this is all about
    MONEY….and how much it will save the College to get free hamburgers for a month.

    FOR GOD’S SAKE…..Is there not someone out there who can buy these Oxen and
    free them and give the College the money it so craves, even at the cost of their human
    decency……If I could I would pay for them….but I am sure there must be someone who
    will do this…..if that is the only way these people will release them…….

    the argument that they are old and worn out and have some pain is pretty callous.
    The Sanctuary would care for them…..I wonder if someone will suggest that these
    students be put down when they have worked hard all their lives and are now old
    and no use…..What goes round…comes round….

    Like

  47. Alesse Rios-Santiago permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:44 am

    I would like to say that Bill nor Lou deserves to die due to old age, I feel that human beings should feel animals pain when they die. They deserve to live just like human beings, you don’t see no one slaughtering a human because of old age or so on, this is unfair and should be stop. God is watching you guys and others that are harming animals and you will get your’s soon trust and believe everything is possible.

    Like

  48. Caterina Ferraro permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:45 am

    Please have a heart…how can you kill these two beautiful creatures after they have served you so well over the past 10 years. If you don’t want them anymore because they don’t ‘serve a purpose’ then please send them to a sanctuary where they can be loved and cared for.

    Like

  49. Nicole Loh permalink
    October 23, 2012 10:58 am

    What about the students? Why ain’t they voicing out and organising protest??

    Like

    • OmniVore permalink
      October 23, 2012 11:00 pm

      The majority of the campus supports the decision. In addition there were several open forums on the topic, the decision was made with the campus community (including students).
      Predominantly the fervor over this is off campus, on campus it has opened up the dialog about food, its sources and ethics in operating a sustainable farm model which includes the usage and consumption of animals.

      Like

      • Nicole Loh permalink
        October 24, 2012 6:36 am

        It’s disgusting to think that the majority of them support the decision to kill Bill and Lou for food, the 2 oxen who has been with them for so long.

        Like

  50. Sandra permalink
    October 23, 2012 11:10 am

    Show some compassion, for goodness’ sake.

    Like

  51. Narendra Gadhamsetty permalink
    October 23, 2012 11:29 am

    Please stop killing cows.

    Like

  52. Anne Watson permalink
    October 23, 2012 11:55 am

    Why ever would you insist on killing them? Are you that desperate for food? Grow some vegetables! They should be honored, not sacrificed! Why are you being so cruel, not only to the oxen, but to the people who care about them?

    Like

  53. sharon permalink
    October 23, 2012 1:51 pm

    animals have souls~maybe you should trade yours and take their place!!!

    Like

  54. October 23, 2012 6:47 pm

    Please help retire Bill and Lou!!! Why are you so persistent in killing them two?!? They can live out their lives for many years yet at the sanctuary. Why can’t you accommodate that? Please save these two!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like

  55. October 23, 2012 11:35 pm

    Please do not kill these lovely creatures. One day you will also be old!

    Like

  56. Pei Si permalink
    October 24, 2012 9:04 am

    Bill and Lou are not objects to be “disposed off” when rendered useless, but are animals with feelings as you have. Please have a heart for them! Such loveable amimals definitely do not deserve a death sentence!

    Like

  57. evecaren permalink
    October 25, 2012 2:26 pm

    Bill and Lou have worked hard all their lives on the farm there at the College.
    These oxen deserve to live out the rest of their lives at VINES animal santuary.
    Please Green Mountain College. Please rethink your decision.
    By allowing Lou and Bill to go to the VINES animal santuary, you will be showing your
    students that Bill and Lou deserve compassion, empathy and kindness.

    Like

  58. Dawn permalink
    October 26, 2012 9:18 pm

    These two animals are not just any old animal, & are certainly not needed to be slaughtered to keep someone alive. This is just a power struggle of sorts for someone to do as they want to do. Sadly, this is going to affect many, as they have become a loved part of many peoples’ lives. I urge you to reconsider your decision about the slaughtering of Bill & Lou. There is absolutely no known reason that they MUST be , & there is NO reason that they can’t go to live @ the sanctuary. Is it REALLY going to make you feel like a better person to kill them? NONSENSE!

    Like

  59. Joyce Wood permalink
    October 26, 2012 9:49 pm

    This is so stupid to slaughter these two beautiful and gentle animals. It makes no sense!! The only humane and sensible decision is to allow the pair to live @ the sanctuary for the remainder of their lives in peace. Please, please send them to the sanctuary!!!!

    Like

  60. Bovine friend permalink
    October 30, 2012 3:17 pm

    Can anyone who is fighting against this slaughter tell me which steer is Bill and which is Lou?

    Like

    • Joyce Wood permalink
      October 30, 2012 3:49 pm

      It does not matter!! Neither should be slaughtered!! That is not the point!

      Like

      • Bovine friend permalink
        October 30, 2012 10:28 pm

        I believe that it does matter. How can everyone protesting this matter expect to be able to make the right decision for these animals if they can’t even tell which is which? Would you ever come in and tell a parent how to care for their suffering child? would you ever tell a spouse how to care for their suffering loved one? Why can’t you all trust the judgment the people that have cared for, loved and gotten to know these beautiful animals for the past 10 years. The people that have looked into their eyes and seen the pain and suffering despite the pain medications. The people that have interacted with Bill and Lou and who have decided that it is in their best interest to be put down and in everyone’s best interest to not waste such a valuable resource by burying them. Joyce Wood you have said in other posts that “You need to educate yourselves!!” Well I think you need to educate yourself at least to the point where you can truly identify the individuals you are deciding to speak for. What gives you the right to tell us what they are saying? what gives you the right to put words in their mouths? Just because they don’t have a voice doesn’t mean you can speak for them because you think you are entitled. It doesn’t mean that you are right because you are vegan, it only means that being vegan is the right choice for you and your body. Let us make our decisions and let Bill and Lou spend their time in a place of peace and harmony where the people who KNOW and LOVE them for them to say goodbye to them and honor them in the way that they know how, not in the way that works for you. Let us live our lives in peace and we will let you live yours in peace. We will also allow Bill and Lou to live their last days in peace in the only home they have ever known, surrounded by the people that they love and who love them. Wouldn’t that be what you would want if you had to go?

        When you are fighting this hard for someone’s life it does matter whether or not you actually know what you are fighting for and who you are speaking for.

        Like

        • Duane permalink
          October 31, 2012 12:17 am

          Good point. Send 2 mails with different angles. My thoughts came from my sister…she called and the secretary asked what the call was about…when she said Bill and Lou…they said SORRY, NOT ACCEPTING ANY CALLS ON THIS SUBJECT. WE HAVE MADE OUR DECISION. She could not even get to the head honcho about the oxen. That is why I think this needs to be taken to a new level of attention. Let’s expose the upper staff of Green Mountain College as potential giant assholes if they follow through with this deed!! Let them know it will make news with their picture and name. People have a way of changing when it can hurt their pocket book and are in the spotlight of shame.

          Like

  61. Brenda K permalink
    October 30, 2012 7:29 pm

    I have been a teacher for over 40 years and I am appalled how the college’s administration is unable to take control of this situation. The idea of killing and eating mascot animals is teaching the young adults to mask any feelings of love, compassion and respect for animals. The adults in charge need to act like adult leaders and set a good role model for their students and college. The administrators and students need to know there is love and compassion for the oxen all over the world and that a decsion to kill Bill & Lou could affect many lives. Hopefully there is still hope for a strong leader at the school to make the right decision to let the oxen live their lives at the sanctuary.

    Like

  62. Duane permalink
    October 30, 2012 8:01 pm

    SEND YOUR CREATIVE EMAIL TO TWO IMPORTANT COLLAGE EXECUTIVES NOW.

    throopw@greenmtn.edu

    mulderk@greenmtn.edu

    DO NOT INCLUDE BILL AND LOU IN YOUR HEADING TITLE OR EXECUTIVES MAY JUST DELETE YOUR MAIL WITHOUT READING.

    DO NOT INCLUDE THE NAMES BILL AND LOU TO EARLY IN THE BODY OF YOUR EMAIL…MAKE THEM READ.

    HERE IS THE EMAIL I SENT TO EACH EXECUTIVE…YOU CAN DO THE SAME…ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES.

    I TITLED MY EMAIL STUDENT ENROLLMENT

    Hi,

    It is definitive that your student enrollment will go down due to the scandal tailing your mascot oxen slaughter sentence. The only thing that can turn this into a win is if you let the oxen live out their natural lives as offered by a local sanctuary.

    Too much publicity is now surrounding the school to kill these guys. I myself have contacted news media. Also contacted PETA who love to advertise institutions for mishandled animal deeds.

    At the very least, think of the money you may lose from all the negative ads on your school if Bill and Lou are killed.

    Think of how good the school will look…and the praise if you let the mascots live.

    Please do the right thing and let the mascots live.

    With much respect,

    Duane
    (630) 709-7070

    Like

    • Duane permalink
      October 31, 2012 7:30 pm

      Again…Why can’t close by activists steal the oxen? Where are they locked up at?

      Rent a large moving U-Haul truck and get the oxen to a safe place in night hours. I am sure someone’s parents have a safe farm a few states away. Ahead of time, arrange a pen break point. Saw and break the fence and then eye hook it back for ease of removal. That is the answer. Hell man, these are your mascots…have some rebel collage spirit.

      These pricks authorities at the collage are missing a piece of their puzzle. Maybe mask yourself and damage cars of those authorities who want to slaughter the oxen. That would get some nice attention for Bill and Lou Negative attention is good attention because it gets to the heart of topic and on the news.

      All the college has to do is let these guys live. Now they are on a power trip to show who is boss.

      Those at the collage…those who are past students…those teachers who support life…team up and have some balls. Plot something smart and drastic. Escape has to go off as smooth as SEALS killing Bin Laden.

      Everyone keep alerting PETA too

      Keep calling local slaughter plants and telling them they do not want to hurt Bill and Lou or else you fear something bad may happen to them.

      24 hour watch on oxen as to no danger comes.

      Duane

      Like

  63. Duane permalink
    October 31, 2012 12:25 am

    Can’t someone who knows the ins and out of the school get the oxen out of the collage grounds in the middle of the night to a safe harbor? People can rob a bank…certainly less security on oxen I would think. I know they are hard to hide, but someone with a small semi could re-locate these guys to a safe farm a few states away. I think we there is enough people to contribute to the effort. In this case…I am all for stealing!! I hope I sparked an idea in some alumni, teacher or current student’s head.

    Like

  64. Joyce Wood permalink
    October 31, 2012 12:41 pm

    Bovine friend : No I have not looked into either Bill or Lou’s eyes. I don’t need to. I have never looked at you or seen you or looked into your eyes. I don’t need to. I would have the same empathy and concern and would express my feelings of outrage if you were being abused or were facing being slaughtered and eaten by the same people who claim to love you! And, yes, I would interfere if someone was treating their child or spouse or loved one in an inappropriate way. Even you. No one, animal or person should be abused or slaughtered or eaten! As for it being not my right. I have the right of free speech given to me by the Constitution. I have a heart given to me by God. I am not interfering with your rights. I am choosing to speak up for someone who needs it. Bill and Lou can not speak up so I am stepping up to sincerely ask that they be allowed their right to live out their lives in peace in a Sanctuary.

    Like

    • Duane permalink
      November 5, 2012 1:49 am

      HERE ARE THE PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL

      PLEASE CALL THESE 5 SLAUGHTER HOUSES IN QUEBEC, CANADA….TY!!!
      Politely or tell them to NOT take up any offers to slaughter Bill and Lou as you fear for their safety. The college will probably not tell the slaughter houses that this is Bill and Lou…so maybe best you include Green Valley Mountain’s college name and 2 oxen in your topic of your conversation or message.

      Boucherie Abattoir St-Hilaire
      418-596-2318
      293 Ste-Catherine, Saint-Sylvestre, QC G0S 3C0

      Abattoir René Bolduc
      418-789-2829
      1997, ch des Érables, Buckland, QC G0R 1G0

      Abattoir Groleau
      418-426-3173
      191, av Commerciale RR 1, Tring-Jonction, QC G0N 1X0

      Abattoir Boucherie Bertrand Raymond
      819-356-2256
      225 St-Albert, Manseau, QC G0X 1V0

      Lacal Technologie
      819-364-3229
      35, rue Boulet, Princeville, QC G6L 4M2

      Like

  65. Joyce Wood permalink
    October 31, 2012 12:52 pm

    I have posted on the petition to please spare the lives of Bill and Lou and allow them to spend the remainder of their lives at the Sanctuary. I have emailed the college numerous times. And, I have prayed for the Lord to spare Bill and Lou and allow them to go to the Sanctuary. I do not know what else I can do or I would to save these beautiful animals who have had so much impact on everyone and do not deserve to end up in someone’s gut as dinner! I am outraged at the lack of heart! I would say I hope each and everyone who eats these beautiful animals chokes or gets mad cow’s disease but I wish no one ill will, even the heartless people who claim to love these beautiful animals. I do not wish this fate that Bill and Lou face to any other animal either.

    Like

    • Duane permalink
      November 5, 2012 1:44 am

      i called the latest round of Canadian slaughter house phone numbers that were posted. The first number was a fax machine. Maybe not during the day…I am calling in the middle of the night. The last number on the list…I pushed 9 for English and then disconnected me. By not going to English I was able to leave a message. I am not sure the people who get my English voicemail will understand what I am saying. I think they are talking French. IF YOU ARE BI-LINGUAL…or know someone bi-lingual willing to call…NOW IS THE TIME TO ASK THEM TO HELP. Call the numbers. Only cost a few bucks and that is one of the best donations you can make.

      Like

  66. Denise DesChenes permalink
    November 11, 2012 5:32 pm

    Pitiful, discusting…and also it would COST them money to have the 2 creatures horribly killed. They do not deserve this. And i have to say this. Obama signed a bill to have Military dogs Put Down, INSTEAD of being put up for adoption when retired!!!! Yes People!!! Because it WOULD save money, rather than feeding and housing till they are adopted…But spend money on going on vacations and bringing friends along to the tune of $500,000.00 a clip. Too many people are HEARTLESS !!!

    Like

    • Duane permalink
      November 11, 2012 5:56 pm

      Usually Obama is compassionate. Sounds like a person with connections needs to open a military adoption for pets. I sure would adopt one. These dogs are well trained. What a great place to buy an animal. The sale would more then pay for the
      boarding of a dog

      Like

  67. Daniele Halle permalink
    September 4, 2013 12:54 pm

    1 of them was killed already, it was longtime ago, they made hamburger out of him to feed the kids, I fought for them, 1 was saved

    Like

    • September 4, 2013 1:53 pm

      Daniele, thanks for your efforts. Now someone needs to deal with those dumb fucks with no feelings. I hope karma sends a professional bullet at the school and their respective offenders. SLANDER and expose this collage. Talk about it to everyone. And you have the internet to have a HUGE voice.

      Like

      • Daniele Halle permalink
        September 4, 2013 3:02 pm

        I do what I can but it wasn’t enough to save both, I cried, I hate that place with a passion, I hope that the one who was saved is OK, I wouldn’t pass them to lie about it

        Like

        • September 4, 2013 3:16 pm

          Post the offenders names on the internet (as an asshole) often and heavy on all different venues. The names will then come up on Google searches for the fucks these people are. If you have their phone numbers and email address…include that too. Keep to the facts as not to implicate yourself. Come up with a few different email addresses to send your facts. State the names of the people that need to be exposed and their addresses on this site so we all can help. Time we stop putting up with murder. If we can not take the offenders down legally, we can sure irritate the fuck out of them to think twice before ever creating an atrocity again.

          Like

  68. February 19, 2014 2:43 am

    Hey there, This method is without a doubt fabulous

    Like

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