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Animal rights have not gone far enough.

Animals are not put on earth for humans to abuse, misuse or profit from. Just because humans have developed untold methods of torturing, killing and controlling other beings, does not mean it is right.

In the United States, humans allow their pets to die in animal shelter gas chambers, by carbon dioxide in 55-gallon drums. Humans allow their beloved companions to be taken from shelters by research institutions and USDA Class B Dealers. This is how humans treat the animals they love.

The animals that are not loved but fall into the category called "God put them on the face of the earth to . . ." are treated far worse. For example, dairy cows must give birth every year to produce milk. Sadly, the dairy cow gives birth and immediately her calf is removed from her and she is placed back in the human milk production business. The calf, if a male, is useless to the dairy farmer. Male calves become veal calves. The calf will spend his entire existence of five short months chained, unable to do more than stand and lay down. He will drink a special formula that robs his blood of hemoglobin so his meat is white. All of this so humans can drink the milk of another species. Humans do not have the right to treat other beings with such disregard and cruelty. Humans are repulsed at the idea of adults drinking human female milk, they should be even more repulsed at the torment other species endure so humans can drink the milk of another species.

The example of how we treat homeless pets at animal shelters and how we treat dairy cows and veal calves demonstrate the immorality of denying rights to animals. Just because we can do something does not mean it is moral. If one contemplates the fate of our planet it quickly becomes apparent that we must learn to live a compassionate life towards all beings, other humans and other animals. By denying an animal the right to exist, the right to live freely without imposed pain, suffering and horror, we are imposing those same conditions upon ourselves.

Humans must accept that animals do have rights. All beings have the same right, the right not to suffer at the hands of another. Just as I do not have the right to chain a human to a wall, I do not have the right to chain a calf to a wall. The calf has the same right to live that a human does. Morally and ethically, there can be no other answer.

Learn more about this author, Justine Depalma.
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