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World Society for the Protection of Animals released undercover video that shows panicked reindeer needlessly tormented as they are herded and transported to slaughterhouses in Sweden and Finland in time for Christmas dinner.
WSPA released graphic video on Monday that showed the mistreatment gentle reindeer endure as they are rounded up by commercial slaughterhouses.
The organization condemns the abuse and says it goes directly against a 2008 Nordic Declaration, the 1998 Animal Welfare Act in Sweden and the 1996 Animal Welfare Act in Finland.
WSPA asks for your support in signing a letter to the Nordic Council of Ministers demanding they enforce the current laws.
“The film that we are showing is particularly shocking now that Christmas is upon us, but it clearly shows the cruel reality that reindeer are exposed to,” Roger Pettersson, secretary general of WSPA Sweden, said in a statement on Monday.
Traditionally reindeer have been raised in small herds in Sweden and Finland for their meat and hides. There was great care to minimize distress to the animals.
But the process has dramatically changed over the past couple of decades as the reindeer industry expanded and became more commercial.
WSPA said, “Visuals from our investigation detail the reindeer’s extreme suffering at every stage of the commercial process.”
“It is clear that transport and slaughterhouse operators are in violation of existing legislation in Sweden and Finland, which explicitly state that no undue distress, pain or suffering be caused to animals.”
The gentle reindeer are dragged and shoved onto trucks. They are herded so tightly that their antlers jab into nearby animals or get caught in the sides of the trucks causing undue pain. And once at the slaughterhouses the reindeer are killed one by one with knives.
In 2008 the Nordic Council of Ministers adopted a declaration that ensures all reindeer be treated with respect and not subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering.
WSPA is calling for existing animal welfare laws in Sweden and Finland to be enforced, and ask for your help by adding your name to their letter to the Nordic Council of Ministers. Click Here to Sign.
To learn how reindeer meat is becoming popular in restaurants and grocery stores throughout Europe, please check out this Care2 story: Reindeer Meat Sold for Christmas Season, by Jake R.
Here is the video from WSPA – graphic images.
Read more: animal cruelty, animal welfare, reindeer, reindeer cruelty, reindeer meat
Creative Commons - Billy Lindlom
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Recent Comments from Causes
It's outrageous that a country as rich as America doesn't have universal healthcare paid for by taxes.…
Don H. - I show that video in all of the Political Science and Sociology courses I teach.
whatever it is I want my gurlz to live with me as long as possible!
137 comments
+ add your ownThese animals belong in prison!!!!! And I don't mean the reindeer. It's horrid to know there are so many CRUEL, MEAN, people in this world besides the ones that get caught for crimes. These people are actually ones that are on the "outside" seen as decent people, when behind closed doors they are HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE people. Anyone who can do cruwlty like this is a VERY SICK MINDED INDIVIDUAL!!! I hope in your lifetime you get whats coming to you!!!!!!! You are DISGUSTING, so-called, human beings who I hope I NEVER meet!!!!!
the swedish governement should stop this trade of reindeers they use to own the por animals as their own property WTF is this crap, try to evolve ..........if you're able to!
As far as I can see, the people ARE the animals.
Commercialization -- the bane of our civilization.
Oh cmon, that made me sick to my stomach...why the hell do
they have to be so cruel? I honestly believe these people are the wrong people to be dealing with the reindeer...they don't have to be so horrible to the animals...I didn't see the entire clip because I have to turn away...so...I flipped it off...
I start not liking Xmas anymore!
Shouldn't we better at Xmas?
How can people be so horrid.
It was very depressing to watch the video as those poor animals were obviously terrified. Why can't humans be kind and more humane to animals. They feel pain and are really scared when treated like that. It is really sad and this abusive treatment should be stopped. It is totally unnecessary.
Thankyou for the information.
It's really shocking to see how many people are eager to kill and abuse
I can't watch the video... it would depress me too much
OMG!! I couldn't watch the video, but I am deeply disturbed over the horrendous & inhumane treatment of these innocent animals. Shame on anyone & everyone who participates in this barbaric slaughter & abuse. Don't get me wrong, I like meat BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF ANIMALS BEING ABUSED & HORRENDOUSLY TREATED ON THEIR WAY TO BE SLAUGHTERED. THERE MUST BE HUMANE WAYS, PLEASE START USING THEM IMMEDIATELY. OMG!!!
signed!
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