The Meat We Eat
Recently, horrible photos have been showing up on my social media feeds. They’re of ready-for-slaughter “meat dogs” intended for human consumption. The animals are stacked on top of one another in stuffed-to-the-gills cages or restrained in burlap sacks with only their heads poking out. Have you seen these? They break my heart and I click away from them just as fast as I can.
I adore dogs and cannot imagine my life, both personal and professional, without them. So it’s no wonder I’m highly sensitized to such photos. I can appreciate that other cultures view dogs differently than what we’re used to here. In some parts of the world, people eat dog meat the same way we might eat a pork chop.
Just like the dogs who share our homes and hearts, dogs raised for meat are intelligent, sentient beings that react to pain, pleasure, fear, and distress. Living conditions on dog meat farms are horrific, and the way they’re transported for sale or slaughter is the definition of inhumane. I’ve never visited one of these meat farms (and hope I never will). Based on what I’ve learned, it appears the level of suffering is comparable to puppy mills.
Pigs Raised for Meat
Like dogs, pigs are highly intelligent, curious, adventurous, and playful animals. They respond to their names, form deep bonds, love to play, learn complex tasks, solve problems, and even dream when they sleep.
Just like dogs raised for meat, pigs are housed in horribly inhumane conditions. They spend the vast majority of their lives in gestation or farrowing crates in which they’re unable to take more than a few steps forward or backward. They can’t even turn around.
I think a lot about the following question. Why do we get so hot and bothered about eating dogs, but readily consume pork? Sure, we love our dogs deeply and don’t have that kind of relationship with pigs. But how can we turn our backs on the fact that, just like dogs, pigs are intelligent, sensitive creatures who experience physical and psychological distress?
Please know this is not me trying to convince you to quit eating meat. Rather, I’m inviting you to consider why we accept one type of animal cruelty, but not another?
I’m super interested in your feedback on this. Please share your thoughts.
Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,
Dr. Nancy
drnancykay.com kidsunitedforanimalwelfare.org
Thanks Stephanie. I agree with you 100%. If eating meat is desired, one can always find food that is humanely raised and slaughtered. Yes, it costs more, but is well worth it.
I stopped eating most meat and especially,pork, after volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in 2001. They had vegetarian meals and pointed out the hypocrisy of fighting to save one species while allowing others to be treated so terribly to feed us. 25 years later, still holding to it~
I’ve become very sensitive to animal rescue groups doing fundraising by holding bbqs or other feasts that include other dead animals….and they treat me like I’m crazy for pointing it out, when it is * they* who don’t get it…
Another way to look at the oddness is to put yourself in the shoes of prople from India, who hold cows as sacred, while Americans have burger joints on every corner….