When I was little, a lot of years I got a live bunny or maybe a baby chick or duck for Easter. I don’t remember the bunnies being any color except white, but the chicks and ducks were often some unnatural color like red or green or blue or …..
I don’t remember ever giving out kids live animals for Easter — artificially colored or otherwise. But apparently, even today, there is a demand for “dyed” baby chicks and bunnies. About half the states and a number of municipalities have laws against the practice. But recently in Florida, the legislature passed bill to overturn a 45-year-old ban on dyeing animals. It seems that a lobbyist for a dog groomer was instrumental in repealing the law. The dog groomer wanted to enter contests where people elaborately sculpture and color their pets.
The idea of giving small children live animals isn’t, and never was, a good idea. I’m not a member of any animal rights group, but common sense says it’s not a good idea. As for the coloring, I’ve heard that the color only lasts a few weeks, and it comes off as chicks shed three fluff and the feathers grow in. I’m not sure what happens to the bunnies….
So hopefully tomorrow kids will just get cavities, a sugar high and maybe raise their cholesterol and the chicks and bunnies will do whatever chicks and bunnies do…
Happy Easter to all.
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