Animal Abuse

Animal abuse is a matter that comes in several ways. Not many people are informed of the different types of animal abuse, it’s much more than just hitting an animal. There is fur farming, dog fighting, neglect, animal experimentation, poaching. Just like humans, animals suffer effects from abuse; they become depressed, afraid, distrustful, etc. Animals don’t deserve abuse; they have feelings too. Even though there are many different types of animal abuse, the leading abuse is factory farming. There are many different types of factory farms, they come in all shapes and sizes but one thing they all have in common is the abuse and suffering they cause for animals. From the day the animals are born they go through unimaginable suffering.

Some people may think of factory farms as a traditional farm, where pigs are rolling in mud, hens are nesting, and cows eating grass. Some may consider that factory farms and traditional farms are the same because of ad campaigns persuading people that factory farms are no different from traditional farms. However, animals in traditional farms have more freedom and live a longer and healthier life than animals in factory farms. Animals in factory farms are being abused instead of being treated as living beings who deserve humane treatment and appreciation. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) “Farm Animal Welfare” the term ‘Factory farm’ is often used to describe an industrial facility that raises several farm animals in intensive confinement where it’s very difficult for animals to make any movements.”

An example of a factory farm that misleads its customers for claiming their support on animal welfare is the Fairlife dairy brand. On the brands’ website, it states that the brand has a commitment to animal welfare and claims that they are ensuring that the animals that are being used for their dairy products are being cared for and it’s their top priority as a brand. Not only is Fairlife known for their support in animal welfare but also for their phrase “happy” with a picture of a cow and for their name.

The name Fairlife can convey as if cows are free-range when in fact it’s the opposite. The Fairlife brand is purposefully misleading customers into thinking they are buying from a brand that supports animal welfare and claims to have “happy” cows, when, in fact, it’s the opposite.

On June 2019, the Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) released undercover footage The Operation Fair Oaks Farm Dairy Adventure. The Video is an undercover mission to expose the Fairlife Corporation, the video takes place in Fair Oaks Farm, the largest dairy corporation in America. In the description, ARM stated, “the video reveals what it considers to be the first realistic and honest audit of the Fair Oaks Farm and the Fairlife Corporation’s operation.” The undercover footage shows various forms of abuse calves go through daily.

For instance, the video shows employees force-feeding, throwing, beating, and kicking calves, calves being violently thrown into their huts, employees pulling the calves by their ears, and neck and will even drag the calves by their neck while driving a tractor. Not only does the footage shows abuse towards calves but also towards the mama cows. Once the cow gave birth to her newborn, the employees separated the mom and her newborn and would send the mama cow to slaughterhouse.

Although before the mamas are being sent to slaughterhouse many employees would abuse the moms, in the undercover footage, it shows employees kicking, pushing, and pulling the cows tail right after birth. The video also shows the calves living in dirty, overcrowded and hot conditions along with dead calves all over the place and some are dumped in a pile. The footage shows more brutal abuse of what goes on behind doors.

The undercover mission was not only to expose the largest dairy farm in America but to also inform people that even the biggest dairy farm that supports animal welfare and claim to take care of their animals are being abused to an extreme level. As some people may know, factory farms are the main cause of animal suffering and abuse, the reason why animals suffer in factory farms is because of what they can provide for the people along with the life they have to go through in factory farms.

The Animal Equality organization, “Why Factory Farming is The Largest Cause of Animal Abuse in History,” goes in detail about what the animals go through from birth to being sent to the slaughterhouse. For instance, chickens’ beaks are cut off soon after hatching; then they are sent to fattening farms where the chickens live up to forty-two days then are sent to the slaughterhouse. Weak chicks are thrown in the trash where they are suffocated or crushed. Ducks from the foie gras industry spend their entire life cramped in cages, eggs industry keeps thousands of hens, where up to six of them live in small cages together with very little or no room to move. When animals are being transferred to different locations, the conditions are brutal and sometimes are not given any water or food.

With the many animals that are living in such small and crowded space, and not being taken care of properly, they end up living in their own manure. Not only are the animals living in their own manure but they also eat their own manure since their cages are not being taken care of properly. Factory farms aren’t just bad for the animals living there but also for the environment and human health. Sentient Media, “Factory Farming: The Horrifying Secrets Behind the Scenes” is an article that discusses the phrase “you are what you eat” and how it turns out to be true.

The website discusses how the body digests animals’ flesh that has been treated brutal, given a lack of nutrition along with getting pumped up on hormones and antibiotics. Apart from the fact that the animals are being treated brutally, not given any nutrition, and living and eating their own manure, they even tend to eat their own species flesh since they are being starved and have no choice but to eat their manure and species flesh.

With the poor living conditions in factory farms, the animals will most likely get sick and eventually die. Not only do the animals get ill from poor nutrition and poor living conditions but it also affects people. Once anyone consumes an animal who had an illness, the person can also develop illness after consuming, it may not happen to everyone but there is still a chance that it can happen.

For years, animals have been giving antibiotics on a routine basis since it makes the animals gain weight faster, antibiotics are mainly prescribed for an illness or for post-surgery. Since animals in factory farms are given too many antibiotics they soon develop antibiotic-resistance – bacteria being able to survive or grow in spite of the use of an antibiotic that was formerly able to stop.

With animals developing antibiotic-resistance it can make its way to anyone and can cause a major health threat that can be very difficult to cure along with being very expensive. According to MotherJones, a journalism website, the livestock operations burn through about 70 percent of the “medically important” antibiotics used across the nation along with microbes that have evolved to resist antibiotics that have cause two million Americans to become ill and killed twenty-three thousand people each year.

Even though factory farms are the number one cause for animal suffering and abuse along with being unsanitary, without factory farms, there will be no food for people. However, the animals that are being used for food have no rights because they can’t make any moral claims, don’t know what’s right from wrong. The animal’s main purpose is to be food, even if they are being abused, at least they are being sent to the slaughterhouse soon after they are born so their life isn’t a long miserable one. Despite animals suffering from abuse and poor living conditions in some factory farms, doesn’t mean that all factory farms are abusing and suffering animals.

For instance, Tyson Foods made a statement that all animals in their farms are being treated well along with having their members of the company follow their core values having a program called “FarmCheck” to come to the farm and make sure that the animals are being treated right. There are even factory farms that make sure their animals are living in a natural way like other animals, such as organic farms, free-range, natural farms, cage-free, hormone-free, etc. There are even laws that prevent animal abuse, for instance, the Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act (HMLSA) was created to decrease the suffering of animals they experienced during slaughter. The HMLSA even have inspectors to make sure that animals are being properly treated.

When it comes to brands stating that their farms or industries are “natural,” “free-range,” “organic,’ ‘cage-free,” etc. does not mean that the farms don’t abuse the animals. The labels that brands claim to be are constantly misunderstood, for example, when a brand says that their ‘natural’ doesn’t mean that it impacts animal welfare. According to the Consumer Reports, on the CBS website, labels that say they are ‘natural’ have no clear meaning and are misleading costumers. “In fact, they think it means no artificial ingredients or colors, no GMO – and it doesn’t mean any of those things,” said Urvashi Rangan, director of Consumer Safety and Sustainability at Consumer Reports.

Another label that can be misleading is ‘free-range,’ to people who buy “free-range” products, they think that the animal is living in natural conditions with freedom. Although the only legal requirement of the phrase is that the animal has access to the outdoors but doesn’t mean that they ever do go outside. “Cage-free’ brands just suggest that hens aren’t being raised in cages but instead they are being raised in crowded sheds which doesn’t make anything better. One of the most commonly misunderstood labels is “organic,” organic is a term that indicates that farms are taking more responsible actions to take better care of their animals.

According to the USDA, their requirements for organic farms are for the animals to be raised in living conditions that are adaptable to their natural behaviors, animals are being fed organic, and there are no hormones or antibiotics. People even believe that animals from organic farms are exposed to fresh air and have more benefits that animals from non-organic farms, when in fact there are no specific requirements for anything that the USDA requires. Phil, Lempert, author of the article “Why Factory Farming Isn’t What You Think,” discusses the misconception of the factory farms.

Lempert states that factory farms can be both profitable along with being considerate for animals-life and how factory farms are the reasons why many people consume meat daily along with factory farms being mainly known not only for consuming dairy and meat products but also for abusing animals. Although it is true that a factory farm can be both profitable and be considerate for animals-life, but people will have to be careful in who and what brand to trust when it comes to choosing their dairy and meat products. Just because a brand claims that their “organic,” “cage-free,” “hormone-free,” etc. or farms having inspectors don’t mean that the animals aren’t suffering daily.

Much of the animals in factory farms deal with the constant brutal of suffering daily, before ending up in the slaughterhouse they must deal with the pain that is being caused by the workers along with the poor living conditions. Animals living in the factory farms will never know or understand how it feels to be free and that they are supposed to have a long healthy life like other traditional farm animals. No animals deserve a cruel life or even death at a young age.

There are other ways that animals can live a long healthy and happy life while still providing for food. For instance, people can avoid any bad factory farms that are known for their abuse, by using clean meat, which is a solution that can end factory farming. Clean meat is also known as “cell-based meat,” “cruelty-free meat,” etc. Clean meat is identical to meat from animals, except it uses lab-grown cells that won’t require the use of live animals who suffer daily for humans and will have a cleaner carbon footprint since the process will become environmentally friendly.

People can also go for more sustainably raised meat and dairy products, such as LocalHarvest, EatWild, or even farmers market which every state has and is better than eating meat from factory farms. Supporting local farms and buying meat and dairy from others along with using clean meat, not only stop the suffering and abuse animals go through for everyone but also help the environment and people’s health.

Animal rights, a controversial topic that has been present since 1975, continues to be present today in forms of entertainment. Circuses for example have been known for the constant mistreatment and abuse of their animals. With most animals being housed in inadequate living spaces, or put through intense training procedures. Others also believe that circuses are helping animals, making their lives better by saving them from endangerment or creating a potential breeding program.

As some of these may seem ideal, most people aren’t seeing the picture at a larger scale. Animals aren’t only being hurt physically, but mentally as well. And due to the immense increase of animals in captivity, humans and animals are being put in danger through abuse, injuries, and other circumstances. If circuses were to be banned, animals and humans would both be healthier and safer throughout their lifetime.

Some might think that circuses are protecting animals, by keeping them safe from what could potentially threaten them in their natural habitat.“Sometimes an animal gets wounded or might not be able to survive the harsh conditions in the wild during certain seasons. By placing them in shelters in the circus, they will be able to recover from their injuries and be protected” (Lombardo).Or providing people with an unforgettable form of happiness. Circuses are even going as far to say that it is a “rite of passage”. Strehlov states that “Attending a circus event is a rite of passage for many youngsters.Generations of people have brought their children to see wild circus animals.

Global awareness of animal rights and wildlife conservation efforts are changing the sentimental feelings the circus once provoked.” Showing how the emotions that people once felt while going to the circus are changing as an increasing amount of animals are being put in danger and are hurting both physically and mentally. With hardly any help to assist in this never ending struggle. The argument of circuses remaining open because of the emotional attachment seems illogical in that this argument only looks at the perspective of the people and not the animals who are being mistreated the most.

Allowing circuses to remain open puts animals in a more hostile and dangerous environment than their own natural habitat. The constant mistreatment and abuse of animals is shown in multiple accounts from various circuses and international alliances. The Animal Alliance of Canada states that “animals used in the circus are often housed inadequately, and are subjected to cruel and abuse treatment, and experience a poor quality of life” ( Animal Alliance of Canada 200). Which is important because it gives a small insight to what is being hidden beyond the surface without the use of specific examples.

Animals in the circus were also mistreated through their extensive training procedures. Often getting beaten or whipped for not complying with certain tricks. For example, “the baby elephants are taken from their mothers and put into violent training sessions to learn how to perform tricks. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the largest animal rights organization in the world and recently let out video footage from an investigation which showed that elephants used by Ringling were whipped, beaten and yanked by bullhooks, which is a weapon that resembles a fireplace poker and has a sharp steel hook on one end, behind the curtains before performing” (Laudanno).

Further proving how circuses are an inadequate living space for animals and that the only way to help them is by getting rid of circuses completely. There’s also evidence of animal abuse in some of the larger circuses. The Ringling Bros for example is one of the circuses in which animal abuse and mistreatment is seen the most. “A 2-year-old Asian elephant, Mike, who was the youngest elephant being held at Ringling Bros. died from elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus. This disease is killing more and more circus elephants and has been connected to the stress of captivity” (Laudanno).

This quote showcases a different side of animal mistreatment, in that animals aren’t only suffering physically,but of mental harm and stress as well. Making their imprisonment seem even more tragic and heart wrenching, and that the only way to soothe their pain is through the removal of the circus. A condition found in animals known as “zoochosis” is “The mental stress and frustration exhibited in circus animals in captivity” (Good.) Most animals who have this condition are essentially homesick and miss their natural habitat, which causes them to shut down both mentally and physically.

With signs such “stereotypic rocking back and forth, incessant grooming, pacing, and self-destructive behaviors including refusal to eat, and self-harm” (Good.) showing how these poor creatures are hurting more than the general public realizes. An increasing amount of animals are continuously being subjected to these harsh environments, and many are still refusing to see the truth of what really happens in the circus.

Circuses have become such a great danger to animals that laws (Federal) are being enforced to keep them safe. Various states have placed laws that help protect these animals rights but are still not enough in the end.“Pennsylvania requires that certain permit fees be paid by the circus for each animal brought into the state, and a circus must obtain a general permit and pay a fee for it. Circuses and menageries are also liable for any harm to the public from wild attacks or danger” (Niedrich).

As small as it may be, this law still has a large impact on animals and how they’re being protected. By making it harder to bring animals in, there is less of a risk of them being captured and mistreated. However this law doesn’t actually prohibit animals from being taken in to the circus, it just makes them harder to obtain. Which is evidently unsatisfactory on the animals side in that nothing is actually stopping them from being captured.

The Lacey act is an law that does a substantial job of restricting the circus.“The Lacey Act [ 95 ] prohibits the import, export, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase in interstate or foreign commerce of any live animal of any prohibited wildlife species. However, the Lacey Act specifically exempts circuses from regulation and defers to their regulation under the AWA” (Niedrich).

This law essentially bans animal usage and presumably restricts circuses completely. But doesn’t actually regulate the circus and has no way to actually see if they’re complying with these rules. Conveying how even laws are struggling to regulate circuses and stop them from endangering animals. “And as it stands, only one federal law stands that regulates the circus but has little to no effect. The new Animal Welfare Act 1999 came into effect on January 1, 2000, [ 134 ] and governs “research, testing or teaching” on or with animals, and other standards of care. [ 135 ]

Now, New Zealand now has some of the most comprehensive animal welfare legislation in the world, taking into account the behavioral requirements of individual and groups of animals and their physical, psychological, reproductive and other requirements. [ 136 ] Unfortunately, as with many pieces of animal welfare legislation, the Act’s provisions have almost no substantial effect, only a limited policy value” (Animal Welfare Act 1999). The only federal law that regulates the circus still doesn’t fully affect it, proving how circuses a true danger to animals and how laws themselves still can’t fully keep animals safe.

Circuses using wild animals not only puts animals in danger but the people who view and work with them as well. Multiple accounts of injuries in humans have to do with the stress.

The circus was originally a place known for providing happiness and joy to the people who attend it. And seemed to have no flaws at the start. But after looking at it from a different perspective,most may agree that circuses aren’t as picture perfect as they seem. With the constant abuse and mistreatment of animals who perform there.

Keeping circuses open for the entertainment factor may seem like the best option, however the circus isn’t the only form of entertainment that involves animals. Which proves that the removal of circuses would not have as large of an impact on people as many would initially think. And during the process, we are protecting animals from things that could potentially hurt them in the future, and are moving one step closer to giving animals the rights that they deserve.

Recently animal abuse is increasing around the world. People are treating animal as non – feeling creatures. They use them for food, clothing, entertainment, and so on. These are some of the biggest crimes humans are doing against speechless creatures. There are many ways to prevent animal abuse but the most importantly everybody should treat animals with respect. First of all, we have to make authorities aware of the fact that animals are being ill-treated by people when you witness them.

Laws will make these people realize their mistake. For example, there was a Singaporean who broke his dog’s legs, just because his dog has eaten his food. One of his neighbors who saw this reported to police. After that this man had to pay $500 for his action. Other examples in Vietnam people hunt elephant for stuck or cows for food. Secondly, recently on some websites appear more videos of animal abuse on the part of young people. This has proven they do not respect and love animals. We should teach them .

Especially with a children, you have to teach children how to treat animal with kindness and respect and considers them as friend. Thirdly, always comply with the laws about animals in your local area. And tell everyone to do it. For example, The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Singapore always takes care of animals, which are neglect and abuse. In conclusion, people should learn more about animal. They are like humans and they need love and care. We have to respect animal.

Every day in the United States animals are beaten, neglected, and forced to struggle for survival. They are left in horrible conditions, ones without any food and or water. Some are lucky, they are found and rescued, being given a chance to survive by being cared for in a shelter or even given a new home. But others, aren’t so lucky. We must fight for these animals’ rights and punish the heartless owners. Its up to us to speak up for these creatures who don’t have a voice. The first step, protecting them and creating effective laws.

There are actually two categories: passive cruelty and active cruelty. Passive is acts as a result of neglect or lack of action. Even though it may seen less serious, but its not true. It can lead to pain and suffering, and sometimes death. Examples, starvation, dehydration, untreated infections, improper shelter, and failure to get medical care. Passive cruelty is mainly due the owners ignorance. Active cruelty on the other hand, is more well known. This type of abuse involves purposefully inflicting harm on an animal.

This kind of cruelty should be taken very seriously. These people who commit these crimes might get worse and move on from animals to something else, other humans per say. Its hard to tell what drives people to harm animals for sure. Animal abusers are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people and four times more likely to commit property crimes than are those who have no history of animal abuse. (“A 1997 study done by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” “pet abuse. com”).

Most who abuse animals find a sort of fulfillment or power because they know they can’t fight back. I mean yeah, not all who commit animal abuse become serial killers or rapists, its still important to take every case seriously. Examples of this though would include, Carroll Edward Cole was a west cost killer who killed as many as 35 women in the 1970s and 80s, and was executed in 1985. Based on Cole’s testimony, his first violent act was strangling a puppy. The Columbine school shooting is another example of animal abuse as a precursor to human violence.

Before killing 12 classmates and then turning the guns on themselves, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebod had bragged to friends about mutilating animals. If these acts had been reported to authorities and taken seriously, these two young men might have been put in a proper facility and helped, possibly avoiding the horrific massacre. Given these examples, it’s hard to imagine why all states don’t take animal cruelty seriously. Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota, and South Dakota have no provisions for cruelty to animals.

According to the Humane Society, a good felony law should protect all animals, apply to first-time offenders, carry large fines and lengthy prison time, have no exemptions, require convicted abusers to get counseling at their own expense, and prohibit abusers from owning or living among animals. Along with these laws we need officials who will strongly enforce them. Police, psychologists, and even the FBI recognize the link between animal cruelty and violence against people. To better protect communities, all states should institute strong penalties and work to increase public awareness of these crimes.

It’s not only up to the legal system to make sure that communities across the country are aware and educated about animal cruelty. There are plenty of things everyday citizens can do. The simplest action is for people to take care of their own pets and learn the facts so they can educate others on proper animal care. Another easy way to help is by donating to or volunteering at a local animal shelter. Contrary to popular belief, volunteering doesn’t require a lot of time; simply going in a few hours a week helps tremendously.

Finally, by writing letters you can remind your local lawmakers that animal abuse is a real problem that needs to be addressed. Taking a few minutes to support this worthy cause not only helps animals, it allows you to feel proud about standing up for something so important to society. It is our job to be the voice for creatures who cannot speak up for themselves. As a nation we need to make it our priority to come together and ensure the safety of our beloved pets. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ”