my care2
make a difference

community & fun

shares

share your passions, stories, inspirations, and more

Help Save Downed Veal Calves from Cruelty | Animal Law Coalition
Nov 7, 2009

Help Save Downed Veal Calves from Cruelty Animal Law Coalition


Posted Nov 5, 2009 by lauraallen Farm AnimalsA U.S. Dept. of Agriculture regulation, 9 CFR 309.13(b), has meant brutally cruel treatment for veal calves. The regulation states that "[v]eal calves that are unable to rise from a recumbent position and walk because they are tired or cold may also be set apart and held.... The U.S. Condemned identification tag will be removed by a Program employee following treatment under such supervision if the animal is found to be free from any such disease."




In other words, unlike other non-ambulatory or "downed" cows, calves used for veal can still be slaughtered instead of humanely euthanized. Indeed, the Humane Society of the United States recently released undercover video that captured terrible treatment of these animals at the Bushway Packing Inc plant in Grand Isle, Vermont. A USDA inspector is said to have stood by and allowed the owner of the plant and its employees mercilessly drag, shove, beat, kick, and use electric prods, sometimes with water to make it worse, on calves that could not stand on their own. The animals were slaughtered while alive. For more, see the video below. It is egregious, vicious animal cruelty.



The USDA and Vermont Agency of Agriculture have shut down this plant pending an investigation.



In response to the video, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a press release: "The deplorable scenes recorded in the video released by the Humane Society of the United States are unequivocally unacceptable. The callous behavior and attitudes displayed in the video clearly appear to be violations of USDA's humane handling regulations.



"USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSI is investigating these alleged violations of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA). FSIS took immediate action with respect to its employee and the establishment upon preliminary verification of the incident. The Department fully supports the investigation of all those involved in these alleged violations of the HMSA. To this end, I have also called on our Inspector General to conduct a criminal investigation of the events in the video."



Veal calves are brutally treated their whole lives, long before they reach a slaughter house like Bushway.



Veal calves are those male calves that are unwanted and removed from their mothers immediately after birth; they are confined often by tethers for life in tiny 2' wide stalls where they cannot move. The close confinement is calculated not only to encourage weight gain, but also to keep their muscles weak to ensure their meat will be tender.



The calves are fed a liquid milk diet. The diet is deficient in iron and fiber and is actually designed to cause anemia to give their meat that light color. The calves are not given any bedding or straw for fear they will eat it and cause their meat to be dark. Instead, they lie on slats that allow their urine and feces to fall through to a pit below. The inadequate diet causes abnormal gut development and stomach ulcerations; the calves are prone to illness and disease.



The calves suffer great frustration, boredom, and stress as a result of isolation from their mothers and herd. They are prevented from grazing, grooming, stretching, all important behaviors for them. They enjoy no natural behaviors or interactions.



The European Union bans treatment of veal calves in this way.



Regardless, non-ambulatory veal calves should not be subjected to such brutality or slaughtered at all.



You can help stop at least this cruelty. These animals should be humanely euthanized. Call on the Secretary of the USDA, Tom Vilsack (1) to amend the regulations to ban slaughter of downed veal calves, (2) enforce the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act which requires no animal should be slaughtered while conscious. The Humane Society of the United States is also calling for an overhaul of the USDA inspection program. No inspector should stand by and allow such cruelty. HSUS is calling as well for a ban on transport of veal calves that are less than 10 days old.



Secretary Tom Vilsack

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Ave., S.W.

Washington, DC 20250

Phone: 202-720-3631

Imported from external blog


Visibility: Everyone
Posted: Saturday November 7, 2009, 5:53 pm
Tags: [add/edit tags]

Group Discussions start a discussion
Comments
Or, log in with your
Facebook account:
Compose your comment and submit:

Author

Cristina S.
Author Tools:
Compose New Share
female , married, 3 children
Anadia, Portugal
CRISTINA'S SHARES
Dec
6
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.animalsaustral ia.org/features/pardon-a- pig/
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.animanaturalis .org/n/10550
Nov
27
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://blogaction-animaux .over-blog.fr/article-con vention-europeenne-en-fav eur-de-la-protection-des- animaux-de-compagnie--400 09319.html
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Check out http://www.gopetition.com /petitions/stop-australia s-wildlife-slaughter.html


ads keep care2 free
SHARES FROM CRISTINA'S NETWORK
Dec
5
(0 comments  |  discussions )
What do polar bear cubs do their first day of life? Well it turns out they screech all day! 2 polar bear cubs were born at Zoo Sauvage of St-Félicien in Quebec this week. Below is a video of the mom and the 2 cubs in the den. For more...
Dec
4
(0 comments  |  discussions )
I’m a huge fan of service dogs of all kinds, they are amazing and wonderful canine heroes! Here’s an incredible story about a service dog… an inspirational journey from service dog training, to turning disappointment into a joyful ...
Dec
3
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Whatever time of year it is, it’s fun to sit outside and gaze at the constellations.Â&nb sp; Especially fun for the lucky ones that don’t live in the Land of Light Pollution like I do.  The night sk...
(0 comments  |  discussions )
Great news. You can get free tickets to see Ice Bears of the Beaufort, which is screening at the Artivist Film Festival in Hollywood at 7:30pm on December 2nd, at Free Tickets. Bear hugs, Frankie Are You Polar Bear Aware? A site full of facts, stat...


ads keep care2 free
MORE MEMBER BLOGS
Dec 6
Blog: Why Canadian Conservatives Made Concessions on Climate Change Policy by Richard M.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — External and domestic pressures pushed the ruling Conservatives to change their climate change management policy. The Canadian government has indicated that it will now harmonize its policy with the US by supporting absolute emissions caps, a cap-... more
Blog: The Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change... by Ani I.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Salaam, Shalom and Greetings Family... The Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change is going on right now, at this time.   I feel this is an earth shaking moment for the world.  I pray all the countries there and issues discussed and decis... more
Blog: Pardon a Pig this Christmas! | Animals Australia by Cristina S.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Check out http://www.animalsaustral ia.org/features/pardon-a- pig/ more
Blog: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year by Patt L.
(0 comments  |  discussions ) — Merry Christmas! I am doing better but still nor out of pain. I will be back next year to post on my groups. I hope everyone is doing great! Until next year. Patt more
Blog: Serenity Speaks: The Virtue, Humility by Rick G.
(0 comments  |  0 discussions ) — From Semper Liberi One will not attain Virtues and enjoy the accompanying Principles without meditation. A simple definition will not suffice in bringing about the surrender necessary to acquire a Virtue. At first glance, one will assume that he alr... more
 
Content and comments expressed here are the opinions of Care2 users and not necessarily that of Care2.com or its affiliates.
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved