This week I can't come up with a catchy by-line to the subject of Animal Cruelty because there is just nothing funny about it--period.
Does anyone remember the pastoral images of Bob Evans' Ohio farm commercials? Well, today it seems the reality is far from that as per Ohioans for Humane Farms, Ohio is ranked as one of the worst states in providing protection for animals and has historically had some of the weakest animal welfare laws in the nation.
Okay, before you read the next paragraph I will have to issue a WARNING that the next paragraph contains some particularly disturbing descriptions of animal treatment in Ohio.
This excerpt was taken from the Ohioans for Humane Farm's website:
"In Ohio, a factory farmer was videotaped killing sick pigs by hanging them execution-style from a tractor, leaving them to writhe in the air for minutes on end. He was acquitted of cruelty for the hangings, a verdict Ohio’s agribusiness community hailed as a “huge victory,” because Ohio has no law specifically requiring humane farm animal euthanasia method."
I realize that some will people believe that since we are going to kill them anyway, what does it matter how the killing is done? Well, I have to say there are many people who would be shocked to find how inhumane the killing methods can be. In Ohio, we argue for humane execution of death-row inmates, so why don't we show that same compassion and respect for an animal that provides sustenance for humans?
In last week's post, Assault Hen Battery, I provided resources which showed a link between battery cage hens and salmonella outbreaks. Here is more information on that link from Ohioans for Humane Farm's abstract on The Food Safety Benefits of Ohio's Proposed Farm Animal Welfare Ballot Measure; make sure to go to the heading "Egg borne Salmonella."
I would like to dedicate this post to my mother, Dorothea C. Salerno. She has been a dedicated animal rights activist for the last 30 years, and she never let anyone tell a racist joke in her presence. My mother has taught me it is important to stand up for what you believe in no matter what the consequence or no matter how controversial the subject matter may be.
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I have to add that the Farm Bureau also helped pay for his defense. One of many reasons I am no longer a FB member is their stance on factory farms and the lack of support they give the farmers who choose more humane methods of raising livestock.
ReplyDeleteThe new livestock board has just come out with a proposed euthanasia plan. I hope the Board lives up the the expectations I have placed on them.
Your mom sounds like a wonderful person to know.
With my interest in food safety, I was very interested to read about the possible link between how we treat farm animals and the safety of our food. Interesting to think that doing what is best for the animals might also be best for us. I appreciate your sharing this important information with us.
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