tagged w/ Animal Welfare News & Animal Welfare Videos
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Secret footage by Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals) shows how millions of unwanted British male chicks are killed every year.
After the female chicks have been taken away the males are immediately discarded - either thrown alive into mascerating machines, which kill instantly, or gassed.
Secret footage by Viva! (Vegetarians International Voice for Animals)... more
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For all the seafood lovers out there the recent London launch of the CrustaStun – a device that “humanely” kills lobsters with a single jolt of electricity rather than by boiling them alive – is a welcome device, but how are other animals we enjoy eating killed these days?
UK slaughter methods
The main governing body of all slaughter of animals in the UJ is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). They set the rules for what is and what isn’t legal when it comes to killing animals for human consumption. Below are the most common ways of slaughter animals in the UK:
Captive-bolt stunning
Made famous by Javier Bardem’s hitman in No Country For Old Men, this lethal gun is pointed towards the back of the head of the animal, and when fired it causes immediate unconsciousness through brain trauma. Most cattle, sheep and goats are killed in this way. After being stunned the animal is subjected to exsanguination, commonly known as “bleeding out” by having its jugular vein, carotid artery, and trachea cut by a knife. When properly performed the animal’s blood flow freely and it dies within a few minutes.
Electrical stunning
Pigs and poultry are sometimes killed through electrical stunning. The stunning is done by sending an electrical current through the brain or heart of the animal before slaughter. If the current passes through the brain it induces an immediate but non-fatal general convulsion that produces unconsciousness. Current passing through the heart produces an immediate cardiac arrest that also leads shortly to unconsciousness and death. The animal is then bleed out and dies through loss of blood. Electrical stunning has proved difficult with chickens as it is easy to over-stun them, this can lead bone fractures or electrocution, which prevents the animal from bleeding out properly and negatively affects the quality of the meat.
Controlled Atmosphere stunning
On of the most common ways to slaughter pigs and birds are by gassing them. If successfully performs this method doesn’t just stun the animals it kills them. Pigs are usually gassed in groups in special chambers for up to two minutes, and the gas used is carbon dioxide. Before bleeding them a sample of gassed pigs are pricked on the nose with a needle, if the pigs move their heads or show any response to the prick, they may recover very quickly so it is very important that the gas levels are high (around 90%) to reduce the chances of recovery. Birds are killed by gas mixtures designed to induce loss of consciousness without undue distress. Birds can in some systems be placed in the gas chamber whilst they are still in their crates, which reduce the amount of handling stress. They must be dead by the time they are shackled to prevent the pain of shackles and the distress of inversion on the poultry line. Another advantage over electrical stunning is that the birds do not suffer pre-stun shocks and carcases have less broken bones and haemorrhaging.
Shechita (Jewish) slaughter
In order to ensure that slaughtered animals are up to the strict Kosher standards animals must not be ill or harmed before being killed. Animals are slaughtered by having their trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries and jugular veins cut using an extremely sharp blade (chalef), and allowing the blood to drain out. Because the animal can’t be harmed prior to being killed the animals are not stunned to become unconscious like in common British slaughter. The person performing the slaughter has to be a Shochet (ritual slaughterer), a religious Jew who is duly licensed and trained.
Dhabihah (Muslim) slaughter
To make the meat Halal the Muslim butcher must slaughter the animal by a swift, deep incision with a sharp knife on the neck, cutting the jugular veins and carotid arteries of both sides but leaving the spinal cord intact. The slaughter must be performed by an adult Muslim, and some believe the name and praise of Allah must be read before sacrificing the animal. Some Halal meat is pre-stunned before slaughter but as a large number of animals are not pre-stunned both Muslim and Jewish slaughter procedures have come under fire for causing animals a “unnecessary” amount of suffering and distress before being killed.
For all the seafood lovers out there the recent London launch of the CrustaStun... more
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The British Food Standards Agency is to call on slaughterhouses across the UK to install CCTV systems as a tool to help protect animal welfare.The British Food Standards Agency is to call on slaughterhouses across the UK to... more
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The Supreme Court struck down a federal law Tuesday aimed at banning videos depicting graphic violence against animals, saying that it violates the constitutional right to free speech.
Chief Justice John J. Roberts Jr., writing for an eight-member majority, said the law was overly broad and not allowed by the First Amendment. He rejected the government's argument that whether certain categories of speech deserve constitutional protection depends on balancing the value of the speech against its societal costs.
"The First Amendment's guarantee of free speech does not extend only to categories of speech that survive an ad hoc balancing of relative social costs and benefits," Roberts wrote. "The First Amendment itself reflects a judgment by the American people that the benefits of its restrictions on the Government outweigh the costs. Our Constitution forecloses any attempt to revise that judgment simply on the basis that some speech is not worth it."
The law was enacted in 1999 to forbid sales of so-called crush videos, which appeal to a certain sexual fetish by depicting the torture of animals or showing them being crushed to death by women with stiletto heels or their bare feet. But the government has not prosecuted such a case. Instead, the case before the court, United States v. Stevens, came from Robert Stevens of Pittsville, Va., who was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for videos he made about pit bull fighting.
Roberts said the federal law was so broadly written that it could include all depictions of killing animals, even hunting videos. He said the court was not passing judgment about whether "a statute limited to crush videos or other depictions of extreme animal cruelty would be constitutional."
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Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. was the lone dissenter.
"The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, but it most certainly does not protect violent criminal conduct, even if engaged in for expressive purposes," Alito wrote.
By Robert Barnes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 20, 2010; 11:05 AMThe Supreme Court struck down a federal law Tuesday aimed at banning videos depicting... more
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Palm Bay, Fla. -- A home that has been vacant for over a year was discovered to have over 100 dead snakes frogs and insects. A cleaning service visited the home earlier today in hopes of getting rid of a stench that neighbors were complaining about for a while, the cleaners noticed a large boa constrictor at the homes doorway and called police immediately . Authorities say 17 snakes are still alive (not excluded from the 100 dead). Along with that were skeletal remains and even liquefied remains.The owner of the home Barry Walter (43) will now face 100 felony counts of animal cruelty.
Pictures at link
http://www.clickorlando.com/news/22918562/detail.html
Video at link
http://www.wesh.com/news/22919390/detail.htmlPalm Bay, Fla. -- A home that has been vacant for over a year was discovered to have... more
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WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE
http://Xinhuanet.com
BEIJING (Reuters) - A proposal to jail people who eat dog meat for up 15 days has caused controversy in China, where dog hot pot is traditionally popular.
The first draft of a law against animal abuse, aiming to protect animals from being hurt or killed in a cruel manner, has been completed by a group of experts and will be raised for legislation this April, local media reported.
In particular, the draft suggested people caught eating dog or cat meat be jailed for up to 15 days and fined 5,000 yuan ($732.5), while businesses would be fined from 100,000 to 500,000 yuan, according to the Chongqing Evening News.
Debate immediately swirled in Chinese media and Internet forums.
"Eating cats and dogs is a shameless barbarian thing. Anyone with humanity would not kill these loyal friends of ours," a user named "Yuxiang999" posted on Xinhuanet.com.
Pet lovers' associations have sprung up in Chinese cities, with one liberation group last year ramming a truck full of caged cats to rescue them from being shipped to southern restaurants.
While many Chinese enjoy rich dog meat, especially during cold winters, some object to the practice in some regions of beating dogs to death to release the blood into the meat.
The China National Native Produce & Animal By-Products Import and Export Corporation backed the initiative, which it believes will improve overseas perceptions of Chinese exports.
Others insisted a ban on dog and cat meat was unrealistic.
"Banning such custom by law is inappropriate and unable to work," the Yangtze Evening News quoted Xu Huiqiang, chief of wild animal protection in Jiangsu province, where a dog meat recipe has been listed as a piece of cultural heritage.
An official of Leping, a city that has a traditional catering industry based on dog meat, told the Jiangxi News that the local economy and people's life would be terribly hurt by such a law.
"Cooking them alive must be punished but which meat to eat should be people's own choice," said a commentary on Xinhua Daily in Nanjing. "Some people in China still can't afford meat. We should not blindly copy Western values."
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4p1tk_dogs-china-raw-5_animals
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60Q49T20100127?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a49:g43:r1:c0.250000:b30083936:z0WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE
http://Xinhuanet.com
BEIJING (Reuters)... more
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According to USA today, in a survey of 3,000 adults, 24% of people adopt an animal from a shelter and 31% think it is too expensive to get their pet fixed. 34% believe the the pet is too young and 24% just haven't gotten around to it.According to USA today, in a survey of 3,000 adults, 24% of people adopt an animal... more
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Last year, a one year old dog named Oreo was thrown off a sixth floor Brooklyn roof top by her owner. Oreo was rescued, nursed back to health by the ASCPA and her abuser was arrested. However, Oreo was killed by the ASPCALast year, a one year old dog named Oreo was thrown off a sixth floor Brooklyn roof... more
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Watch this documentary by the BBC. You will never think of breeding the same again. Caution: there may be images that are upsetting to some viewers.Watch this documentary by the BBC. You will never think of breeding the same again.... more
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The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act states that large scale dog breeding operations must provide "each dog under their care with basic food and water, adequate shelter from the elements, necessary veterinary care, adequate space to turn around and stretch his or her limbs and regular exercise."The Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act states that large scale dog breeding operations... more
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In parts of the city, I see homeless men with dogs. One time, I saw a dog with a flannel shirt buttoned around him because it was cold outside. Another time, while sitting at a stop light, I saw a man unwrap a burger and give half to his dog and he ate the other half. I almost cried.In parts of the city, I see homeless men with dogs. One time, I saw a dog with a... more
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These guys are pretty good. Not sure how I feel about the animal exploitation aspect but they are certainly entertaining.These guys are pretty good. Not sure how I feel about the animal exploitation aspect... more
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~y2009m11d16-Meals-on-wheels-helps-seniors-and-their-pets--The-benefit-of-companion-animals
Meals on wheels is a program where home bound seniors receive a hot meal from a friendly person volunteering their time. Many people who are home bound also have pets. Those seniors sometimes share their own food with their pets because they can't afford dog or cat food.~y2009m11d16-Meals-on-wheels-helps-seniors-and-their-pets--The-benefit-of-companion-ani... more
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Help keep kitties warm this winter with this inexpensive homemade cat house!
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WARNING: CONTENT WILL BE DISTURBING TO MANY VIEWERS
many people could care less about factory farming and the killing of frogs, but how about your pets, cats and dogs are routinely slaughter by factories that provide animals for dissection in school across America...You money ,tax dollars are funding this!!!!WARNING: CONTENT WILL BE DISTURBING TO MANY VIEWERS
many people could care less about... more
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Paris Hilton is up to it again. She has ordered a baby pig off the internet-to be her pet.
PeTA states that "The Chihuahuas, ferrets, and kinkajous she's paraded through her home in the past were not accessories, and pot-bellied pigs aren't either."Paris Hilton is up to it again. She has ordered a baby pig off the internet-to be her... more
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A northwest Missouri hospital is switching to high-tech mannequins for medical training classes after an animal rights group protested its use of live cats.A northwest Missouri hospital is switching to high-tech mannequins for medical... more
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"Foie gras," literally fatty liver, is a disease marketed as a delicacy. It is the liver of a duck or goose who has been force fed to the point where his liver is over 10 times its normal size. Only male ducks are used, and females are discarded by the industry.
The sale and production of foie gras is illegal in California effective 2012 under Cal. Health and Safety Code section 25980. City councils have commended restaurants for removing this product of animal torture in the meantime, including San Diego, San Francisco, West Hollywood, Berkeley and Solana Beach.
Dr. Ward Stone, the senior wildlife pathologist for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, has conducted necropsies on ducks who died during force feeding at Hudson Valley Foie Gras and writes, "I eat meat including ducks on occassion. However, the short tortured lives of ducks raised for Foie Gras is well outside the norm of farm practice. Having seen the pathology that occurs from Foie Gras Production, I strongly recommend that this process be outlawed.""Foie gras," literally fatty liver, is a disease marketed as a delicacy. It... more
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KSirys
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added this
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2 years ago
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