The Humane Society of the United States has unfortunately uncovered more abuse of dairy cows. This time the abuse occurred at an auction house in New Mexico. The following video shows some of the offenses, including kicking a weak cow in the head, sticking cows in the eyes with pokers, dragging them by their legs with chains, and other egregious acts of cruelty. I urge you to watch it:
After release of the video, livestock industry officials immediately began spouting off excuses:
I don’t care if there are eleventy billion cattle handled each year and only ONE endures this kind of abuse–even if only a small percentage of cows are tortured, that doesn’t make it acceptable, and it surely doesn’t mean anything to that one tormented cow. She still feels pain, even if billions others aren’t subjected to this same treatment.
You know, this guy sounds a lot like the owner of the Westland/Hallmark Meat Packing Co in California, who SWORE up and down that downed cattle did not go into the food supply, despite the fact that the HSUS had video footage of that happening. Oh, and PS. They’re out of business now. Woohoo!
Really? I guess I am wondering if Mr. Schafer (a native of my home state of North Dakota) was there at the time these cows were being abused. How could he know so confidently that these animals weren’t slaughtered? Just because they should not have been accepted to a slaughterhouse doesn’t mean that they weren’t, as the Westland/Hallmark case showed us.
Lastly, if I hear one more time that this was an “isolated incident” I am going to have to unleash the Crazy on somebody, because SERIOUSLY? The HSUS has released videos taken at facilities in Maryland, Texas, California, Pennsylvania and now New Mexico. How many more videos will it take before people in the industry and people in our government stand up for these poor animals who are unable to do so for themselves? When is someone going to take responsibility for these appalling acts of cruelty?
That is outrageous. I just feel so sad and angry about this sort of thing. The denial that goes on, is unbelievable. Even when faced with irrefutable evidence such as the above, there is the old chestnut about it being an isolated incident. So why are there so many of these horrible videos around then?
I have no desire to become a militant, but these sort of abuses are the reason that I have started to support movements that give a voice to animals who can’t speak for themselves. No living being should have to endure these conditions.
KATESALTFLEET – I know what you mean about not wanting to be militant but struggling to NOT be when there are such terrible abuses going on. It’s just so infuriating that it’s hard not to get angry!
I have no fear of being militant when it comes to animal cruelty, be it domestic animals or wildlife. Hell, I’ve been called worse.
Thanks for posting this because I had some other things to tend to and couldn’t get to it. It’s sickening and disgusting to watch and the worst part is knowing that the people who really need to see it – the acculturated meat-eaters – are the ones least likely to watch. That infuriates me.
What kind of degenerate, piece of sh*t human being can treat other animals so cruelly? I hope these cretins are found, arrested and charged and thrown in jail. And what’s with the USDA asking for a “voluntary ban”? What the hell good will that do? You can see the type of people who run factory farms and you expect them to voluntarily do the right thing?
I need to give HSUS more money.
s.
Thank you so much for posting this, Mindy!
I am writing a letter. Several, actually, to all these a-holes who keep spouting about “isolated” incidents. How dumb do they think people are?? I also think it’s weird–and very sad–that the primary point they like to make is, “Oh, don’t worry. You’re not EATING these abused cows.” (i.e. They’re abused, and then either left to die or killed & disposed of.) Maybe it’s because I’m vegan that I don’t have to worry about eating sick or abused cows, but that wouldn’t be my first concern, anyway. How about the SUFFERING these animals go through?! That’s what makes me the most disheartened; not that people might be eating their flesh.
/rant.
Sidenote: When Nick (my boyfriend) graduated from UND last May, Ed Schafer was one of the speakers at the ceremony. The entire time I was rolling my eyes because he is in bed with the USDA & of course, I don’t have the highest respect for that agency… Also, he told “touching” tales of his wife growing up on a meat and dairy farm like a good ol’ American. Uuuuurgh.
i’m so glad you’re sharing this! i cannot watch it. i am so completely vegan that i just can’t bear to watch the torture anymore but it is so valuable for most people to watch these terrible videos.
like jess above me wrote, i hear this a lot too. with my rescued ‘broilers’ here at home, i share them with anyone who comes over and tell their stories. inevitably, i hear something like, “oh and these animals are being fed to us?” as though that were the worst part of it! for crying out loud people, these living beings are living fates worse than hell and all you can think about is how it affects you???
anyway, still loving your blog!