I have just had the most harrowing experience of my life, which has not only left me mentally disturbed, but opened my eyes to how man can be so callous towards animals (not all.) In a way I am glad to have witnessed the gruesome scenes of animal cruelty to eliminate any disbelief I had that such evil atrocities is permitted to go on.
However mixed emotions of sadness and madness comes combined into one and to the fore towards those involved who carry out barbaric and inhumane acts on poor defenceless animals before going to slaughter, or just in general in their day to day habitat.
I could kick myself for ever clicking the play button on the video to watch the uncut version involving cruelty to animals on farms. After witnessing such carnage, I now see the abattoir as a haven for animals to find peace. Mind you in saying that, cruel senseless sadistic activities also take place here too. Livestock are just that "alive" when slaughter tactics take place. With slit throats, the cattle which hang from their hunkers still manage to give the "I am in pain" odd jerk. Others still with breath were skinned and pigs boiled in vats till they breathe no more. What I seen will forever stay with me. It sickened me to the stomach to see castrations taking place with no aesthetic. It is the daily norm on the farm to see bull horns chopped in half, pigs beaten with iron rods, hen beaks burnt off and baby calves prodded with electrified poles to guide them in the right direction. This is a baby right, what do they know about left and right. All of these animals suffered the most agonizing pain because no sedation was used.
What grieves me about the whole vile scenario is - that it is man behind the cruelty. I can still see the image of those squealing baby pigs while they had their ears and testicles clipped with what looked like pliers and all done with no pain relief. I can still hear the dying cluck of the beaten chicken which ceased when its wings flapped no more. The video was never ending, my eyes filled with tears, I persevered and continued to watch the helpless doe eyed dairy cow, to weak to feed her young. These ruthless human beings need to be brought to justice. Misdeeds which cause pain to animals need to be brought to the attention of the authorities, so that the unnecessary suffering is stopped. Farm animals deserve better, they were born to graze pastures green, stick their snout in sloppy mud or lay an egg when the time is right and not forced.
Dairy cows on average, don't live longer than four and a half years. In a natural environment cows can live to the age of thirty, however production level slows down from six years. Normally a dairy cow births a calf every year, because this is the only way to start the production of milk. Ten percent of cows never see daylight staying in the barn their entire life, to obtain a higher production level. The calf is normally taken away from its mother at birth to put a stop to any bonding. Calves are housed in hutches.These keep the calves separated from other calves. In the first two months the calves have a strong urge to suck. Sadly if not permitted to drink from the teat the baby calves would suck at nearest thing to them, and that being other calves.
Once baby chicks are hatched, they are moved to a laying or fattening farm, depending on race and gender. Unfortunately the young cockerel is deemed useless so therefore killed with carbon dioxide in a plastic bag or shredded. The baby chicks selected for battery live in mesh cages in a shed. Row after row of these cages line the shed with others stacked on top till reaching maybe 3 or 4 in height. It is not unusual to see 4 chickens jam packed tight like sardines in a 45x50cm cage. These restrict the birds from spreading their wings, let alone flap them like nature intended. Blood stained feathers of the future chicken soup prospects is caused through pecking at each other. This is the purpose for burning of their beaks. The chickens don't have a roost to perch upon and a disturbed day/night rhythm is forced on hens, all because selfish chicken carers want the birds to lay as many eggs as possible. Battery hens live for approx 12 months and in this time lapse will have laid about 250 to 300 eggs Fattening chicks do not live long, about 6 weeks, and then slain. In this time they develop rapidly from a baby chick to half grown because of special food stuff. Chickens are violently and literally thrown into crates where wing and foot fractures are regular when on route to the slaughter house.
Just because we recognize the pig as to being a tough and hardy beast, does not mean pigs do not feel pain. Pigs like all other farm animals get a raw deal down on the farm.
Because of grid flooring where pigs are usually kept causes them to suffer from severe foot injuries. Sows are seen between two rails after giving birth, and because of restricted space cannot turn to bond with the new born piglets, only feed them. The reason for this is so the sow does not crush her piglets to death. Young piglets are transferred to the weaning section after the nursing period (month) instead of the 14 weeks period. Piglets of 72 days old go to the fattening farm and are located into a sty measuring 10 m², with no comforting straw.
Sows are more fragile than you can imagine and are prone to suffer from stress because of limitation on movement. Pigs are intelligent animals. At the start of the year 2000, an investigation of the AID (Dutch Inspection Service which checks the compliance with the law in accordance with animals in Holland) revealed that over "50%" of farmers violate the minimum welfare regulations for pigs and deliberately make the animals suffer.
Fortunately we have people who care like you and me, but where would we be without the ASPCA. It is an organization founded in 1866. It was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. The Society was formed to alleviate the injustices animals face and continue to battle cruelty today. Whether it's saving a pet or fighting to pass humane laws, rescuing animals from abuse or sharing resources with shelters across the country. The ASPCA work tirelessly, towards the day in which no animal will live in pain or fear. More organizations like these will help lessen the numbers of animal deaths caused by man.
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