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Student Advocacy: Voices for Change
Factory farms ignored as source of abuse
Tricia Carr
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
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You're walking down the street and you hear a dog whimpering down an alley. You take a few steps in and see a huge dog stuck in a wire cage meant for a dog half his size. His mouth and paws are bleeding from his attempts to escape and patches of fur are missing exposing bruised skin. He also seems to have a broken leg. What would you do in this situation? You might call the police and see to it that the dog received medical attention. You might even adopt the dog yourself and nurse it back to health.
In the United States, it is illegal to abuse a cat or dog, but every single day thousands of chickens, pigs, cows, ducks, sheep, and geese are mutilated, neglected, drugged and slaughtered on factory farms for human consumption.
Over 850 million chickens are slaughtered every year for the Kentucky Fried Chicken food chain according to KentuckyFriedCruelty.com, a branch of the PETA.org website. The chickens are stored in dark sheds their whole lives, many with broken wings and legs. To prevent the chickens from pecking each other to death, a side effect of their traumatic conditions, their beaks are cut off. When the chickens are at their "processing" weight and it's time to slaughter them, their throats are slit and they are submerged in scorching hot water while they are still conscious.
Chickens, although they are not typically kept as pets, are fascinating animals when seen in their natural habitats. According to PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, chickens have the ability to recognize others and form friendships. They take care of their chicks, bathe and make nests.
Robin Henderson, president of Fox P.A.W. - People for Animal Welfare - at Marist College, works at Farm Sanctuary in Woodstock, New York. Farm Sanctuary, which has two locations in New York and California, was established in 1986 to fight the exploitation of farm animals at factory farms and to give the public a new understanding of farm animals. The first animal they saved was Hilda the sheep, who they found on a "deadpile" outside of a slaughterhouse. She lived at the California farm for 10 years before she died of old age.
In the United States, it is illegal to abuse a cat or dog, but every single day thousands of chickens, pigs, cows, ducks, sheep, and geese are mutilated, neglected, drugged and slaughtered on factory farms for human consumption.
Over 850 million chickens are slaughtered every year for the Kentucky Fried Chicken food chain according to KentuckyFriedCruelty.com, a branch of the PETA.org website. The chickens are stored in dark sheds their whole lives, many with broken wings and legs. To prevent the chickens from pecking each other to death, a side effect of their traumatic conditions, their beaks are cut off. When the chickens are at their "processing" weight and it's time to slaughter them, their throats are slit and they are submerged in scorching hot water while they are still conscious.
Chickens, although they are not typically kept as pets, are fascinating animals when seen in their natural habitats. According to PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, chickens have the ability to recognize others and form friendships. They take care of their chicks, bathe and make nests.
Robin Henderson, president of Fox P.A.W. - People for Animal Welfare - at Marist College, works at Farm Sanctuary in Woodstock, New York. Farm Sanctuary, which has two locations in New York and California, was established in 1986 to fight the exploitation of farm animals at factory farms and to give the public a new understanding of farm animals. The first animal they saved was Hilda the sheep, who they found on a "deadpile" outside of a slaughterhouse. She lived at the California farm for 10 years before she died of old age.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
daniela
posted 3/24/07 @ 6:10 PM EST
Dear Tricia Carr,
I am 12 years old and i live in Bristow,VA.I have noticed that you really appreciate these animals and want to help.When i grow up i want to do the same thing like you. (Continued…)
fr8bench
Tim
posted 3/25/07 @ 7:20 AM EST
Thank you for that very eye opening article. This is one area where each of us can really make a positive difference in this otherwise seemingly unaffected world. (Continued…)
Robin
posted 3/25/07 @ 3:51 PM EST
AWESOME JOB TRICIA, WAY TO TELL IT HOW IT IS!
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