Every year in the USA, about 39 million cattle and calves are slaughtered for beef. With cattle being slaughtered at this high of a rate, things are bound to go wrong and animals are bound to be treated poorly. However, that doesn’t mean that Americans can not do something about it. There are many ways that cattle are treated unethically, and it starts with how they are raised. The most concerning ethical issues occur during the slaughter process,which includes the transportation to, and conditions at the slaughterhouse. How cattle are being raised on factory farms has become a growing issue in America the past couple of decades. In fact about 99% of all farm animals raised in the US are raised on factory farms (ASPCA). Clearly this is a …show more content…
This next step is everything that goes on at the slaughterhouse, but the first thing that needs to be addressed is what goes on on the kill floor. The kill floor is the main thing that people think about when they think of the slaughter process. This is where the cattle are physically brought into the building, lined up, and then killed. This is usually done by a .22 pistol that shoots a retractable rod into the head, and then retracts back into the gun so that a bullet projectile doesn’t affect the meat. This has been deemed the most humane way to kill cattle because, if done right, kills the cattle immediately. But, of course, many large slaughterhouses don’t take their time in shooting the animal, so they aren’t killed on impact. Sometimes it can take up to 4 or 5 shots in order to kill the animal and that causes great pain and agony among the animals. But, sometimes at the larger slaughterhouses used for factory farms, they don’t bother with shooting the animals again because it is a waste of time and money in order to keep shooting the animals and reloading the pressure on the gun. So, not only is the animal suffering at the time that it is shot, but also for quite some time after while it is pushed along to the next step in the slaughter process. Not only do large slaughterhouses not take their time in shooting the cattle to assure that they are dead, but they also just shove them all in this huge holding pen while they wait in line to be killed. The animals get stressed out and they are very uncomfortable while waiting for their
The use of horses for human consumption dates back to the earliest use of animals for human consumption. Horses are used for food in many counties but are also considered inhumane in other countries. In the United States specifically, horsemeat is not the norm for consumed meat. There seems to be a problem that has arisen. It is suspected that horses being slaughtered at horse slaughtering factories are not the most up to date, pain free for the horse, and human as people suspect them to be like beef kill floors. There are many pros and cons to horse slaughter that accompany the pressure groups on each side of horse slaughter. Another big controversy with horse slaughter is the argument of legalizing horse slaughter and what those details will entail in the law.
It is not just the animals who are being treated wrongly. The workers are vulnerable and suffer from injuries on a daily basis. This workforce requires so much protection, such as chainmail outfits to protect themselves from tools. From cuts, sprains, to amputations, “ The injury rate in a slaughterhouse is about three times higher than the rate in a typical American factory.” (238). Many immigrants come to the states, some illegally. Companies give their supervisors bonuses when they have little reported injuries as a reward for a spectacular job. Regardless, these supervisors do not make attempts to make the work environment safer. They threaten the employees with their jobs. They will put injured employees on easier shifts to heal so it will not look suspicious as to why they are in pain. Next to failing to report injuries, women in the slaughterhouses suffer from sexual assault. Male coworkers pressure women into dating and sex. Reported cases include men using animal parts on them in an explicit manner, making work another kind of nightmare. All this corruption and lack of respect for workers is all for a cheap meal people buy when they have the
For as long as there have been horse slaughterhouses in the United States, they have been an issue of controversy (Associated Press State and Local Wire, 8/7/01). Currently, only two slaughterhouses that produce horse meat intended...
Factory farming began in the 1920s soon after the discovery of vitamins A and D. Shirley Leung said, when these vitamins are added to feed, animals no longer require exercise and sunlight for growth (B2). This allowed large numbers of animals to be raised indoors year-round. The greatest problem that was faced in raising these animals indoors was the spread of disease, which was fought against in the 1940s with the development of antibiotics. Farmers found they could increase productivity and reduce the operating costs by using machines and assembly-line techniques. Unfortunately, this trend of mass production has resulted in incredible pain and suffering for the animals. Animals today raised on factory farms have had their genes manipulated and pumped full of antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals to encourage high productivity. In the fast food industry, animals are not considered animals at all; “they are food producing machines” (BBC). They are confined to small cages with metal bars, ammonia-filled air and artificial lighting or no lighting at all. They are subjected to horrible mutilations: beak searing, tail docking, ear cutting and castration. The worst thing is that ...
In a review the website writes that “Slaughterhouse is the first book in which workers in the meat industry speak publicly about what is actually taking place in America’s slaughterhouses.” This particular book shined light to the graphic and very disturbing facts that factory farms are providing all types of products at the expense of the lives of innocent animals. The book is able to bring forth evidence and enticing information that is hard to miss by the reader because at one point or another, this matter was meant to come to light. The review goes further in illustrating “Eisnitz 's investigation with a single complaint from a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) worker alleging that cattle there are having their heads skinned while fully conscious. This single complaint becomes a full-scale, groundbreaking investigation.” Slowly but steadily, Eisnitz was able to figure the puzzle out and attract the attention of individuals and organizations who are particularly found of advocating for animal rights. The book itself had testimonies from workers who would deliberately beat, “strangle, boil, or dismember animals alive. Today’s slaughter line does not stop for anything: Not for injured workers, not for contaminated meat, and least of all, not for sick or disabled animals.” This is the driving force of individuals who have no other
Animal rights are practically non-existent in many different ways today. Factory farming is probably the worst thing they can do to the poor helpless animals. Factory farming effects chickens, cows, pigs, and many other animals that are used for food, milk and eggs. One of the biggest organizations against factory farming is called Compassion Over Killing (COK). They go to great lengths to protest and inform people about animal cruelty.
Temple Grandin once said, “I think using animals for food is an ethical thing to do, but we 've got to do it right. We 've got to give those animals a decent life and we 've got to give them a painless death. We owe the animal respect” (Quotes). This quote is one of the countless quotes by Temple Grandin; after her many years of work in slaughter houses and with animals. Everything that happens to animals by humans must be done in a humane and safe way. Farmers are working every single day to make sure all animal slaughtering is done in the most humane matter. In the United States slaughtering practices have strict regulations and many experts like Temple Grandin are advocating for the animals.
Over 98% of all animals raised for food in the United States comes from factory farms which use inhumane methods to ensure a steady food production. Animals raised in
Factory Farming is a very controversial topic. Factory Farming “is a large, industrial operation that raises large numbers of animals for food. Over 99% of farm animals in the U.S. are raised in factory farms, which focus on profit and efficiency at the expense of animal welfare”. While factory farming brings many problems such as food safety risks, abusing antibiotic, and replacing independent farmers. This type of farming helps increase food production, lowers business costs, encourages technological development, and ETC. Which in return helps the public in a greater good.
As a human, we possess certain rights that protect us in society, however the animals we raise for food live under a much more complicated system that constantly changes. Americans have recently begun to protest animal treatment, especially in the meat industry. Many animal rights groups claim that animal farming is an inhuman practice that violates the rights of all living creatures. Farmers believe that animal right shouldn't change as any changes could cost them millions in new technology to safely care for the animals. The American farming industry poses several moral issues about animal rights which possess no easy solution, however new alternatives appear to have answers for this growing dilemma.
Cows are naturally very gentle and calm creatures. These smart and sweet natured animals have been known to go to great lengths to escape slaughterhouses. More than forty-one million of these sensitive animals suffer and die a painful death each year in the United States. When cows are still very young they are burned with hot irons, there testicles are torn or cut off, all without painkillers. Most beef cattle are born in one state, live in another, and are slaughtered in another. The cows who survive the gruesome transportation process are shot in the head with a bolt gun, hung upside down by there legs, and taken onto the killing floor where there throats
There are many debates around the world about the topic of animal abuse. Animal abuse in the food industry has become a major problem due to the cruel treatment of animals. Most of the world's population might think that animal cruelty is only found in homes and on the street, but they forget about the other forms of animal abuse that affect the food industry. Large contributors to animal abuse are due to fishing methods, animal testing, and slaughterhouses. "Animals have always been a major part of our society in history and they have played huge roles in agriculture" (ASPCA). Factory farming is a system of confining chickens, pigs, and cattle under strictly controlled conditions. Slaughterhouses are places where animals are killed
The animals that are raised in factory farms, and the farms are ran just like any other business. According to the article Factory Framing, Misery of Animals, the factory farming industry strives to maximize output while minimizing cost, always at the animal’s expense. “The giant corporations that run most factory farms have found that they can make more money by squeezing as many animals as possible into tiny spaces, even though many of the animals die from disease or infection” (Factory Farming). This is actually quit disgusting that we eat food that walks around in each other’s feces and can attract disease. These animals live a life of abuse, but we sit back and say it’s okay because we will eventually eat them. “Antibiotics are used to make animals grow faster and to keep them alive in the unsanitary conditions. Research shows that factory farms widespread use of antibiotics can lead to antibiotic-resistant bacteria that threatens human health” (Factory Farming). These animals aren’t treated with proper care and we act as if they are machines. Chickens for example, become so big and distorted that their legs can longer support them. Eventually they die because they can longer walk to get food or water. According to Factory Farming, most of these animals have been genetically manipulated to grow larger and to produce more eggs and milk than they naturally
Cruelty toward animals, huge economic problems, and major health concerns are just three reasons why factory farming should be banned worldwide. Many people argue that factory farming is the only way to meet growing demands for food in the world today. However, factory farming is just not necessary, especially when it comes down to killing innocent animals in order to feed people. A way to put an end to the factory farming system is by buying our food from smaller, sustainable farms. These businesses still aim to profit from their labor, but that’s not their only objective. (The Issues: Factory Farming, n.d.) They simply will not sacrifice the health of the land or the quality of food simply to make a few extra dollars.
Ever since the world?s first fast food restaurant started business, it has been responsible for the death of 50 billion animals worldwide each year. It?s an astounding number, yet the slaughtering is still increasing rapidly. The irresistible taste of heaven keeps the cash coming in, and keeps the people addicted. ?Meat is an essential part of our food-chain.? One might say. ?We can?t all live our lives being vegetarians!? It?s true that we can?t stop the butchering of animals. But if you were to witness the horrifying pictures of slaughter houses, you?d think differently. The pigs all have their skin sliced open to revel the organs, while chickens hang with their furless wings flapping. Just because of our selfish needs, we?re treating them with violence and cruelty. It is time for some real action, to correct our mistakes. It was wrong in the first place, to slaughter others for our own benefits. And it would be more so, if we don?t put a stop to it. And because we humans are...