Animal activists have known for many years that conditions in slaughter houses were bad, but it wasn't until 2009, continuing through 2011, when Animal Aid did some secret filming in nine randomly chosen slaughterhouses that the media started to sit up and take notice and public outrage prompted several petitions and an Early Day Motion to be presented against the cruel treatment of animals raised for meat. Out of the nine slaughterhouse investigated, eight were found to be well below standards both in hygiene and in animal welfare. Animal Aid's report makes harrowing reading and the actual footage is heartbreaking. Horrific cruelty to the animals was widespread, with animals bring kicked, slapped, stamped on, picked up by fleeces and ears and thrown into the stunning pens. Pigs were burned with cigarettes and many animals were shown to still be conscious when they went under the knife. In one incident shown to the Court pigs were beaten about the head and face once every two seconds, the torture lasting for over a minute. Even in establishments where no laws were broken, the animals were clearly frightened and suffered pain. The report went on to show that so called high welfare places like those accredited by the RSPCA and the Soil Association were no better than the standard ones in that they were all guilty of breaches of U.K. welfare laws.
The C.P.S. took over the case and the abattoir was closed temporarily. These are just two examples of the horrific treatment animals have to face at the hands of slaughter-men before a violent death takes away their fear and misery. How can this be? How can this nation of so called animal lovers continue to ignore this monstrous cruelty? Why is our government so reluctant to install independently monitored C.C.T.V. in all slaughter houses and why is D.E.F.R.A. so against using covertly acquired evidence? This is a situation which must not be allowed to continue. Animals die in their thousands every week so that some of us may eat them. Surely our government can sanction closed circuit monitoring to prevent those psychopathic workers, who it would seem are left entirely to their own devices, from maiming and terrifying animals at will. Head of campaigns for Animal Aid, Kate Fowler, said:"Since we first began investigating English slaughterhouses, we have been pressing everyone involved – regulators, industry bodies and the Government – to act decisively to end the cruelty. At first, they appeared contrite and promised action but now their words ring hollow. If Defra won’t prosecute these flagrant breaches of the law; if the vets can’t or won’t act to stop the cruelties; and if the slaughterhouse owners look the other way, who is there to stop animals from being abused at the most vulnerable time of their lives? It seems that all involved are content to keep quiet and to allow these cruelties to continue. So much for the UK having the best welfare standards in the world." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2020151/Abattoir-staffs-shocking-animal-cruelty-filmed-WONT-prosecuted.html#ixzz2xeIpIwVE http://www.animalaiduk.com/h/n/NEWS/news_slaughter/ALL/2688// http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2264972/Cruelty-horses-exposed-Red-Lion-Abattoir-Hillside-animal-welfare-group.html
4 Comments
B. McPherson
4/1/2014 10:19:19 am
Back in the day when meat was expensive and a not every day item, animals slated for slaughter saw the blue sky and sunlight. They ate grass and drank clean water. They were not to be stressed before a quick kill ended their lives. Was it for the animals' benefit? Not entirely. The old timers knew that a stressed animal was full of cortisol which tainted the meat.
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Patricia Betty
4/1/2014 06:06:39 pm
It is ludicrous that here in the UK people clamour for an end to Halal slaughter and we ate self righteously up in arms about live export. We condemn other countries for their inhumane treatment of animals, yet we continue to eat meat which has been subjected to the most Spaulding cruelty under of very noses.
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eileen
4/1/2014 08:27:05 pm
I despair of animal cruelty. Although we are more enlightened and in some ways so much better the cases of animal abuse and cruelty seem to grow. As Barb says as well a contended farm animal that has enjoyed some life will be produce better meat. Sad news all round :(
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eileen
4/1/2014 09:40:33 pm
I know I am a hypocritical meat eater. Don't consume much but if I had to kill the animal first I would be a veggie for sure. But humane farming is possible and the consumer would benefit, though the produce may cost more. What price cruelty though? And some people who work around animals should never be allowed near.
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