TCS October VigilEven though there are technically laws to “protect” pigs and cows

TCS October Vigil

Even though there are technically laws to “protect” pigs and cows (chicken, fish, and turkeys have no protection whatsoever), these laws are so paper thin and so rarely enforced that they almost might as well not exist. Animals that are too sick or injured to support their own weight/cannot stand up are not supposed to be forced onto transport trucks and used for slaughter, and yet, it happens every day. St. Helen’s Meatpackers (which promotes itself as “local”, “humane” meat) is particularly notorious for breaking this law. Indeed, they have sick and injured animals coming in so often that they actually have been cited (a consequence that is essentially like a warning and does nothing to help the animals) multiple times for this offence. This gentle baby cow (about 2 years old when they can naturally live to be over 20) was lying on his side, and despite being obviously exhausted and in extreme pain, he would occasionally try and get up by flailing his legs about. His friends did their best not to step on him, despite the floor of the truck being slick with feces and urine, and even spent time trying to comfort him, Cows are herd animals who grow particularly strong bonds with one another and are scientifically known to have best friends within their herds. The injured one’s best friend spent time softly licking his face, and it was only during this time that the “downed” cow would close his eyes for a moment. 

Cows, and all farmed animals, are emotional creatures who have relationships with one another. This is not merely the musings of an animal rights organisation, it has been scientifically proven. Indeed lots of research (which can easily be found on google) has come out in the past few years regarding the emotional and cognitive intelligence of animals society generally deems, “dumb”. And the results? The species we eat (including fish and crustaceans) are just as intelligent, just as sentient, as the dogs and cats we have as family members. If imaging your dog/cat lying at the bottom of a filthy truck, only to later be dragged into a slaughterhouse with chains, bothers you, then this should bother you too. All animals want, and fight, to live..

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Photo credit to dedicated activist Louise Jorgensen.