This week I have continued reading Animal Liberation by Peter Singer. This book which was originally published in 1975 covers many issues related to the treatment of animals. Some of the main focuses of this book are animals being used for testing, animals bred for food, and reasons to be vegetarian. Peter Singer advocates for the fair and ethical treatment of animals by exposing the dark truth behind the industries that implement the most pain and suffering on animals. By enlightening the readers of Animal Liberation Singer is able to convince them of the idea that change is needed. Right now in the book, I am at the part where he discusses the treatment of animals being bred for food. In order to prove change is needed, he explains the dark reality behind animals raised for meat. One thing in particular which is rather convincing is when he talks about the production of veal, meat from a baby cow usually male. He mentions how the quality of veal is determined by its color and texture. In a regular calf, they have excess room outside to graze on grass and build muscle by various activities. Eating grass and exercising, are what causes the unwanted dark color and toughness of the meat. To prevent this they keep the cows in a small enclosure which is about 2 feet by 4 feet which is not large enough for them to move. They are also fed a substance which will not cause darkening of the meat and also helps them gain weight much faster than a normal cow, 300 plus pounds (lbs) compared to the usual 90 pounds (lbs).
Quote: "Certain basic facts are clear enough to justify action. Whilst accepting the need for many restrictions, we must draw the line at conditions which completely suppress all or nearly all the natural, instinctive urges and behavior patterns" (Singer 142).
There is nothing to justify when animals can´t even complete activities that are instinctual to them. Singer points out that there are some cases where animals need to be restricted and he understands the necessity of it, but he does not support it when it is done so inhumanely. This quote perfectly fits the calves' situation, being raised for veal being extremely restricted so they can not do anything they normally would do. In addition to the baby cows being treated poorly, the mother cows are artificially inseminated, once they give birth they are forced into the dairy industry. This cycle is completely unnatural and it goes against all instinctive urges like giving parental care.
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This example of the production of veal reminds me of puppy mills. Puppy mills are places that breed surpluses of dogs in inhumane circumstances. Puppy mills usually forced the mother’s to have litter after litter of puppy and usually starting at a young age. This is very similar to the way cows are obtained for veal and often the dogs are stored in cramped living quarters much like the cows are. This relates to my life because my dog before she was rescued was suspected to be in a puppy mill. By the time she was barely two years old, she had at least two liters of puppies if not more. To put that in perspective, dogs begin having puppies when they are about 7 months old and the average gestation period for dogs is 70 days. When you add that all together that is almost a year and a half. This cruelty resembles so of the treatment endured by animals like cows, pigs, and chickens. Puppy mills deny the dogs of their natural patterns and force them to act unnaturally.
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Are there ways to rescue puppies from the puppy mills? Or I guess before? Maybe it's too late once they are sent there?
ReplyDeleterescuing dogs from puppy mills are difficult. Either groups like the ASPCA in the video save the dogs, or the are sold in places like pet stores. Although when you by a puppy mill dog from a store you are techincally saving it, you are also feeding the mill more money. That is why it is best to rescue dogs from shelters.
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