by E.A. Paul

Created on: February 03, 2009

In our society, most animals are viewed as a commodity, something to be eaten or worn. Their humane treatment is usually disregarded. The reason for this is because the companies who produce animal products such as meat, chicken, fish, milk, eggs, and leather products have very little regard for the animals' welfare. As long as the animal continues to produces it's product, there are practically no ethical values when it comes to their humane treatment.

Having ethical values about something means there is a right and wrong way of thinking. We all know it is wrong to inflict pain and suffering on our fellow human beings. We all know that it is right to treat our fellow human beings with kindness and respect even if we are in a bad mood. We know that it is wrong to shoot and kill someone. In other words, most of us know what is right and what is wrong in regard to how we relate with each other. There are some ethical values we place on how we treat each other. But for some reason, ethical principles are practically non-existent when it comes to how we treat our fellow animals.

A good example of the lack of ethical values when it comes to the treatment of animals is the entire animal producing industry. This includes meat, dairy, chicken, eggs, lobsters, crabs, and so on. Meat production starts when innocent cows are sent to the slaughterhouse to be killed. It has been documented and filmed that cows are tortured beyond belief. They are stabbed in the eyes, their throats are cut while still conscious, and they are skinned alive. Is this practicing ethics for animal welfare? Of course not.

What about dairy cows? The sole purpose of dairy cows is to stay pregnant and produce as much milk as possible. They are put on "rape racks" and a large tube of bull sperm is shoved into their vagina. Not only is this very painful, but 100% unnatural. After they become pregnant, they are made to endure the harsh and painful conditions of producing milk twenty four hours a day seven days a week attached to torturous milk machines. Is this ethical? You know the answer.

Chickens are raised in filthy chicken houses in over crowded unsanitary conditions. Their wings are clipped and their beaks are cut off with a hot razor knife. As if this isn't enough torture, when they are transported to the chicken plant, they are carelessly grabbed by their legs and stuffed into small cages. A lot of times, their legs are painfully broken off. They are made to suffer until they are thrown into boiling

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