Bill and Lou, two oxen who have been worked by Green Mountain College (GMC) in Poultney for the past 10 years, will be killed any day now.
Lou suffered a minor injury, and instead of allowing him and his companion to retire to VINE Sanctuary - where they would receive loving care as well as top-quality veterinary care - the college has elected to slaughter them and serve them up in their cafeteria.
Since the time VINE's offer was refused, there has been quite a bit of confusion regarding the facts of the situation. We would like readers to know a few things.
VINE Sanctuary has repeatedly requested dialogue with decision makers at the school. We have been ignored or refused every time.
VINE Sanctuary has repeatedly offered to come to campus to answer student questions. We have been ignored or refused every time.
VINE Sanctuary became involved at the behest of Green Mountain Animal Defenders, which was itself responding to complaints from GMC community members. Our aim in offering sanctuary was to offer a happy ending for everybody: a good home for the oxen and good public relations for the school.
VINE sanctuary's views about diet and sustainability differ from the views of some GMC students and faculty; however, this debate is not germane to the question of whether Bill and Lou should be allowed a peaceful and happy retirement at the sanctuary. We have mentioned our views on those topics only when refuting arguments about why Bill and Lou must die.
Some students, like some neighbors of the school, are very upset. Some have begun to speak out, but others have been bullied into silence.
We reaffirm our offer of sanctuary to Bill and Lou and also ask the school to protect, rather than pressure, students who do not agree with the farm crew's decision to kill them.