Nov05
A Landmark Day for Animals From Coast to Coast!
Posted at 05:17 AM | Permalink
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Comments (97)
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We are so pleased to report that—thanks to your hard work—two important ballot initiatives passed yesterday, making history for animals. California voters approved Proposition 2 by a large majority, which will ban some of the worst cruelty to animals who are raised for food in that state: keeping egg-laying chickens in battery cages so small that they can't spread their wings, keeping veal calves in crates for their entire miserable short lives, and keeping pregnant pigs in crates that are so small that they can't take a step forward or backward or turn around. Animals on farms in California will be given these basic necessities by 2015, but we will continue to spread the message that the best thing that people can do to help animals is stop eating them altogether.
On the other side of the country, Question 3 passed, which will ban greyhound racing in the state of Massachusetts by 2010. Dogs who are used for racing typically spend 20 hours per day confined to cages measuring only 32 in. by 42 in. by 34 in. Many of the dogs can't even stand completely upright. The animals are also highly susceptible to injuries, including fractures, dislocations, lacerations, and amputations. And because they're no longer of use to the industry after they are injured, injured dogs are often simply killed.
The impact of both of these important initiatives is tremendous for the millions of animals whose lives will be affected by them. Our heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of you who worked toward their passage. We really are making a difference.
Posted by Joel Bartlett
TAGGED:
california prop2 Massachusetts greyhound racing
Comments
This really is terrific news!
Posted by: Sarah | November 5, 2008 06:39 AM
A VICTORY FOR ALL ANIMALS!!!! im not from calif but I am soooooo happy. this has made my day.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | November 5, 2008 06:42 AM
FANTASTIC news!! I hope it will be a sign of things to come.. ie.. animals need to be treated better and more humanely in factory farms and to phase out their particularly unacceptable and cruel practices.. I hope in time to come it will also occur in ALL the OTHER states .. but for time being.. GREAT news!
Posted by: sueparker | November 5, 2008 06:47 AM
Today is a wonderful day for the animals in CA and MA. Lets keep moving forward and end all cruelty all over the world!!!
Posted by: lisa thompson | November 5, 2008 06:55 AM
I am so proud to be living in California. It's great that the my state is doing their jobs for the animals. We all need to help the animals in Pennyslvania dogs from puppy mills!!!!!
Posted by: Kaycee | November 5, 2008 07:41 AM
Congratulations. Two great victories. It's just too bad that Marylanders voted to prop up the horse racing industry.
P.S. - I think you mean "overwhelmingly" approved, not "unanimously" approved.
Posted by: Mark | November 5, 2008 07:46 AM
This is some of the most amazing news I've heard all year.
Two great victories!
Cheers!
Posted by: Tom | November 5, 2008 08:10 AM
Yeah! We're finally get rid of greyhound racing in MA!
Posted by: Drew | November 5, 2008 09:58 AM
This makes my day.
I'm not too happy about the constitutional bans on gay-marriage in Fla. and Arizona though.
But this is great!
Posted by: Pat | November 5, 2008 10:16 AM
In his victory speech, President-elect Obama said he was getting his daughters a puppy for the White House. Let's hope he decides to rescue a shelter pup!
Posted by: Carly Lyn | November 5, 2008 10:21 AM
I am so hopeful today that these decisions will soon impact our entire country. I celebrate this victory for animals and pray for those animals who will continue to endure suffering while the rest of us catch up!
Posted by: Katie | November 5, 2008 10:33 AM
my felicitations from france! this is a great moment in history! and millions of kisses for PETA, the Humane Society and all the other great animal rights organizations and people who made it possible!!!
Posted by: claudia marrapodi | November 5, 2008 11:03 AM
I'm proud and happy my state passed this proposition, but am sad it will take another six years to fully implement it. I'm hoping they will begin to make changes sooner than six years.
Posted by: maria | November 5, 2008 11:07 AM
I live in California and voted YES on PROP 2 so I am thrilled with this great news!
Posted by: Kristin | November 5, 2008 11:14 AM
And these hell holes shouldn't be allowed to relocate to another State either to avoid having to implement these changes!! Even at a small scale THIS IS a victory!! But please reconsider what's on your plate and put animals raised for food where they should be... NON-existent!! A victory for dogs as well, well in that State anyway!!
Posted by: Carla | November 5, 2008 11:18 AM
Well done fellow Californian's! So glad to see so many people wo really care about the welfare of animals!!!
Posted by: Astrid | November 5, 2008 11:20 AM
As a Massachusetts resident, I'm so glad that the dog racing ban passed this time around. Amazing news about Prop 2 as well! Thanks to PETA and all the other organizations that helped to make these victories happen!
Posted by: Julie | November 5, 2008 11:22 AM
I hope this is just a beginning... This must be spread on the rest of the world.
FREEDOM!!!!!
Posted by: Jasmina | November 5, 2008 11:22 AM
I love it! Animals are living things. They deserve to be treated with respect. As an animal lover I'm thrilled with this news. All 50 states should do more to protect animals from cruelty.
Posted by: Steven | November 5, 2008 11:32 AM
Although I do not live in CA, I passed the PETA news (prior to the elections) on to all of my friends who do live there & they assured me they voted "the right way". Congrats on two major victories - let's keep our fingers crossed we only receive as good of news (in other states re: other animal cruelty issues) often & soon!
Posted by: Patricia Cheyne | November 5, 2008 11:46 AM
Thank you to all of the PETA donors and volunteers in California that helped PROP 2 win!
From the hours spent phone-banking in the PETA Oakland office to passing along the email alerts to your friends. Every bit helped.
You did it!!!
Posted by: Steve | November 5, 2008 11:55 AM
One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
This is amazing news, but why does it take 7 years to take effect? Will those animals between now and then still suffer in the same way?
Posted by: Fiona | November 5, 2008 12:22 PM
im thinking its about time az steps up but im not sure how to push it :(
Posted by: kristen | November 5, 2008 12:24 PM
OH MYLANTA! I couldnt be happier today! This is such a great thing..I feel that we are getting closer and closer to ending the suffering of defenseless animals all together! Lets keep up the fight. GO VEG!
Posted by: Eliza | November 5, 2008 12:29 PM
It is ABOUT time!
our loved ones are finally getting the rights they deserve!
Rejoice today!
Posted by: erika | November 5, 2008 12:55 PM
I am very very happy to hear this. TWO VICTORIES!!!!!!!!!!
KEEP HELPING ANIMALS, THEY ALL HAVE FEELINGS TOO. Great Job.
Posted by: Suzy | November 5, 2008 01:08 PM
I am so proud and happy and thrilled that in California and Mass. we have spoken for the animals that can't speak for themselves!! We are moving in the right direction - let's keep up the great work and continue to speak for these living, breathing animals as is our responsibility!
Posted by: Mary | November 5, 2008 01:10 PM
This is great news, but I still want to see better changes. I want to see these bills passed over in third world countries and the Asian counties where cruelty to animals is beyond what we see here in North America.
Congrats to everyone's hard work, but don't fall short of what we want to really accomplish!
Posted by: Emma | November 5, 2008 01:11 PM
Last night's Historic election was definitely worth celebrating. It literally brought me to tears, it was so emotionally uplifting.
And once they announced that Prop 2 had passed, I literally started dancing in front of all my roommates...danicng/laughing and crying. It was great.
Congrats to all of us, this is a huge triumph for animals!! We did it!
Posted by: Amber | November 5, 2008 01:18 PM
I am definitely ecstatic about the achievements made yesterday that not too long ago seemed impossible. I was curious to see what my home state was doing about animal cruelty and was AMAZED that in August of this year, the state of NJ is banning the typical practices of factory farming on the grounds that these practices are INHUMANE! One of the biggest things that bothered them was the de-beaking of birds without pain killers first. I will never eat an animal for the rest of my life, but at least compassion is being found where it was not once found before!
Posted by: ashley | November 5, 2008 01:19 PM
congrats to all those who voted yes on prop 2...i know i did and im so glad that they are listening to us and helping the poor suffering animals :D
Posted by: Jennifer | November 5, 2008 01:49 PM
Let's capitalize on the momentum of this hard-fought victory and work even more diligently to improve the lives of all animals in the US and beyond.
Posted by: Eric | November 5, 2008 02:15 PM
Thank Goodness!
I was urging all of my friends in California and Florida to vote their hearts out, and now it seems that the majority of people in those states understand the deplorable state or American farms.
First CA+FA, next time the world!
Posted by: Ashley Gormley | November 5, 2008 02:17 PM
One small step that will lead to increasingly larger ones. Congratulations to Farm Sn actuary, Humane Society of the US, and the Prop 2 campaign folks. Many, many good things will come of this. The signal to US factory farms is clear: institute compassionate husbandry now or be forced do it later.
Posted by: Sergio | November 5, 2008 02:45 PM
My girlfriend and I were extremely pleased to cast our votes in CA on behalf of all the animals that are unable to voice their pain, suffering, and mistreatment.
Posted by: Tim | November 5, 2008 02:52 PM
this is awesome!!! having oprahs support behind it and ellens aswell i knew it would pass...im canadian but i still think this is a huge step...so is having a hal;f black president CONGRATS USA
Posted by: Shannon | November 5, 2008 03:00 PM
Today I am proud to be an American. Thank you PETA & the HSUS for everything!!!! Now lets enforce this and make Organic Farming a standard practice on America's farms for good.
Posted by: MA Moore | November 5, 2008 03:10 PM
The tides are turning...
Posted by: NT | November 5, 2008 03:16 PM
As both PETA enthusiast and a former Massachusetts dog track employee I can assure you that the passing of this bill is probably going to do more bad than good.
First off, it is completely untrue that the dogs spend that amount of time in a kennel, and the kennels they are kept in while waiting to race are large enough for them to stand, sit, and pace in circles. If you are seen being even slightly rough with the dogs you are fired on the spot. Lastly, I've never seen any of the dogs cross the finish line with their tail between their legs...they are always wagging their tails - they LOVE to run.
I hope everyone is prepared to adopt a greyhound because I'm sure many will be euthanized or simply sent to tracks in Rhode Island and New Hampshire to run.
While I agree that animals are not meant for entertainment I think this was gone about all wrong - tracks need to be phased out so that there is proper time to slow down breeding and find some homes for these dogs.
Posted by: Kait | November 5, 2008 04:32 PM
GOD BLESS all the people who came together to give all animals a voice for the cruelty & inhumane treatment they go through. If it wasn't for Peta and all of the supporters they would be damned. Thank you everyone from my heart to yours for never giving up on them. They are furry, cute, sweet, smart, and loyal, they should remain this way.
Posted by: Joanne Cruz | November 5, 2008 04:43 PM
I was so worried that it wouldn't pass. I am so happy it did. I wish it started sooner than 2015 though.
Posted by: Riley | November 5, 2008 04:57 PM
Kait - this brings up a good point for horse racing as well. Yes, dogs, horses (all animals) love to run and exercise, but pushing them to break legs and treating them as mere pawns in a game is unacceptable. Perhaps we should take a closer look at the pros & cons of all animals that race. Over breeding and overpopulation is rampant in all species (including people)these days. At least awareness is being raised. I was totally unaware of dog racing until this Proposition was passed. Kudos to Massachusetts!!!!!
Posted by: MA Moore | November 5, 2008 04:58 PM
This is great news. Lets hope it is the start of something good and it spreads around the world.
Posted by: Jo-Anne Carlyle | November 5, 2008 05:42 PM
im so happy about these new laws. but, they should have been made long ago and should be in affect now. but, thanks for the great work. im sure that the animals apprecieate it too.
Posted by: Natil | November 5, 2008 05:59 PM
IM SOOO HAPPY about this.. although the california one isn't as good as the dog racing accomplishment. I don't think animals should have to endure any of this factory farm crap. But its a start.. so I'm really happy.
Posted by: Courtney | November 5, 2008 06:29 PM
I am so proud of my state (Mass.)!!!
Posted by: YSLGuy | November 5, 2008 06:49 PM
I am soooo happy these propositions passed!! I can't say how worried I was.
If people are going to eat meat, at least the animals would have a slightly better life on these factory farms. If it did not pass, I would have to assume there is little humanity left. I am so happy about this. I am not from that state, but I am hoping that this will spread to my state in MD. I worried about this all night on election night!!
Posted by: Diane | November 5, 2008 07:08 PM
it's about time!!! now we need to spread this to the rest of North America.
Posted by: Kelly | November 5, 2008 07:12 PM
California still has a long way to go. In Tehama County ranchers proudly line the fence posts of thier ranches with the carcuses of coyotes they have killed.
Posted by: vicki | November 5, 2008 07:29 PM
This was on the Prop 2 site today, and what a Great day it is!!
We have assembled a coalition like no other animal protection campaign has ever assembled. And we have momentum, respect and unity like never before. Let’s not stop now. Let’s build on this victory. Take the day off to celebrate.
But then let’s resume our just and right struggle. Together.
For the animals’ sake. And for our own.
Posted by: Robert Scott | November 5, 2008 07:35 PM
Thanks from the animals to all the people whose committment to animals often consumes their lives - while the people who cannot feel for the animals consume the animals lives, without any acknowledgement of the suffering the animals go through so that they can consme
A step forward for animals and a more humane world to live in.
liz
Posted by: liz | November 5, 2008 08:14 PM
Horray to Mass. for caring enough to put an end to the brutality so many Greyhounds have to suffer on torturous racetracks!!! As a proud owner of two former racers I salute Mass.!!!!
Posted by: Deann | November 5, 2008 08:42 PM
i live in CA and i petitioned for the proposition to be on the ballot.. i spread the word for everyone to vote YES on prop 2 and i am soooooooo ecstatic that this proposition passed by 63% it is a great feeling!!!
Posted by: Christine | November 5, 2008 08:47 PM
AMAZING NEWS! Let's work together on freeing animals from cruelty throughout the country and give them all a better life.
Posted by: Marjan | November 5, 2008 09:03 PM
Im Glad that MA Banned Dog Races. Even though alot of people are angry about it, because they lost their jobs & etc. Im happy that the greyhounds are no longer going to be mistreated. I leave near one of the dog racing places & when i would drive by .. all i heard was the dogs crying in the inside.
Posted by: rosiee | November 5, 2008 09:15 PM
This is great!
Posted by: Christina | November 5, 2008 09:34 PM
what a wonderful victory- congratulations to all who worked so hard. Lets pray for a better day- when animals are NEVER slaughtered for ANY reason.
Posted by: Courtney Taylor Eckel | November 6, 2008 12:27 AM
This is great news...i needed a bit of positivity today...and this is perfect...lets never give up on earths precious animals...without them...life isn't worth living!
Posted by: Kastine | November 6, 2008 03:30 AM
With Prop 2 being passed it will have a positive domino effect.This is GREAT!!!!
It seems like more and more people are becoming aware of the unspeakable things animals are forced to go through.It's obvious that people want change to happen for animals too! This is so GREAT!!!! Thank you California and Massachusetts!
Posted by: Bunnylove | November 6, 2008 06:34 AM
Kait,
After reading your comment from November 5th I could not help but wonder something.Are you sure you are not affiliated with a greyhound dog racing track??
The dogs ARE ALWAYS kept in their small kennels for 20 hours a day except when forced to race.This is standard in all Greyhound tracks.
There IS regular abuse being done to these poor animals,especially if they don't win.
OF COURSE the dogs aren't going to cross the finish line with their tails between their legs.Haven't you known of the many dogs found after an experiment the next morning found with their tails wagging while their guts and intestines are on the dirty cage floor in animal laboratories because they were carelessly sewn up??
As far as what will happen to the Greyhounds.There are several local organizations in Massachusetts working really closely to when the track shuts down in 2010.I am involved with one.Some of them may get euthenized by a veterinarian.It is not what we want but...it is better to leave this earth in a peaceful way.
There are plans for the Greyhounds to go to rescue groups/foster homes in state and some out of state.
Kait,I say this with respect.Please get to know a situation a bit more before you firmly say something as if it's correct.
Greyhound racing should NEVER have been in the very first place.Here in Massachusetts we are working for a better tomorrow for them.It is all done with small steps.
Posted by: Valerie | November 6, 2008 07:47 AM
This is really awesome!!!!! Just wish it could happen a little sooner
Posted by: Jackie | November 6, 2008 10:43 AM
Great news! Those that are not already vegan please remember to do so!
This news is wonderful but veganism is the path, within ourselves, that we all must take to help animals with every meal!
goveg.com!
Posted by: Karl Sander | November 6, 2008 11:31 AM
2015 seems so far away!?!?
It's refreshing to get good news from time to time on these issues. But the best news will come when factory farming is completely eliminated.
Posted by: jessica Weizmann | November 6, 2008 01:18 PM
I'm from California and I voted for Prop 2. I'm thrilled it passed. Thanks to all the good people out there who voted with their conscience!
Posted by: janna harriss | November 6, 2008 03:19 PM
This has made me so happy words cannot express my delight, I just wish this law would go into effect sooner but some things take baby steps. Go PETA!
Posted by: Darlene | November 6, 2008 05:02 PM
I'm so so pleased, at last, people are taking notice and we are spreading the word!
I was crying after seeing pictures of the poor pigs being abused and sprayed on the factory farm recently......we have to stop this abuse!...now.
Posted by: Louise brady | November 6, 2008 05:51 PM
Although I support the ethical treatment of animals, I think a lot of people are forgetting that it takes years to make these kinds of changes. Everyone needs to realize that new facilities will need to be built, and that cannot happen over night. I also question whether many of the voters have the educational background of livestock production to truly justify what Prop 2 will mean to not only PETA or the livestock, but also the farmer. The truth is, there are a GREAT deal of farmers out there treating their animals ethically. However this is overshadowed by the fact that some of them don't. Please do not make the assumption that all farmers confine their animals, OR that they beat animals. To make assumptions like that is extremely inaccurate. Also remember that farmers feed the world! Our hats should go off to them! After all, how many PETA members grow their own groceries or have the slightest clue about farming? Most Californians are quite uneducated when it comes to agriculture! And to all who are hung up on organic food, if you knew very much at all about organics, you'd know that its extremely inefficient/impractical on a large scale. To make it "standard" as one writer of this forum said is completely impractical! PLEASE, get an education before blindly supporting ANY cause.
Posted by: Sebastian | November 6, 2008 06:16 PM
Hi.
This is great news, first Obama and now this....
I live in Nova Scotia, Canada and was soooooo happy to hear the news concerning the phase out of dog racing and other animal cruelties on factory farms.
I live in an area where alot of people adopt grey hounds in order to stop them from being abandoned or just plain left to die. They are beautiful natured dogs and deserve to live amongst us as our friends and not to be exploided for financial gain.
Giving up meat is not hard to do either and if I can do it coming from a meat eating, farming/fishing family...anyone can do it.
Congradulations on the double victory!!!
All the best, Lisa
Posted by: lisa Diana | November 6, 2008 06:20 PM
This is an advance but no animal should live the way these sensitive animals live.
We must do more to stop the cruelty! However, I am very happy that we have gotten one step up the long ladder!
Posted by: Darci | November 6, 2008 06:28 PM
Iam so glad that bill passed i dont live in california however i am hoping the rest of the country follows suit. AMEN
Posted by: Theresa Huskey | November 6, 2008 08:29 PM
I am in Canada so I was not able to contribute by voting, but I am so thrilled that Proposition 2 passed. Now, if only we can stop factory farming altogether.
Posted by: Ania | November 6, 2008 08:50 PM
Animals are alot like people. they have emotions,feel pain and have individual personalities. Animals need to be respected and left in there natural habitat. PETA and all our members are Angels for animals. Lets keep going.
Posted by: shannon saunders | November 6, 2008 09:48 PM
Its about time somethings done about the cruel environment that animals must live in for people. I wish the Midwest would do something about their factory farms. But none the less this is great news.
Posted by: sarah | November 6, 2008 11:02 PM
2015...?? So they have to suffer 8 more years...there must be something more that can be done.
Posted by: emily saienni | November 7, 2008 12:30 AM
Yes, a great victory for animals in Ca and Mass!!!
I understand and have myself wrestled with the dilemma that these factory farm measures may encourage more animal use because the animals are treated more 'humanely'.
But I can't see any other way to liberation than through small steps. People have accused me of 'forcing veganism on them' just by my eating soybeans without saying a word to them. And look at the posters here who are outraged by the cruelty in the videos but still proudly claim to be meat eaters?
And most importantly, animal persons will have some relief from the strangling confinement they now endure. And for that, I'm so grateful to the California voters who said YES to Prop 2! And Question 3 in Massachusetts!
Posted by: lynda downie | November 7, 2008 12:55 AM
Does anyone know WHY the farmers have such a long time to comply with the new law? They have until the year 2015 to implement the new standards for confining animals. 2015! That is 7 years of continued torture and suffering. It would be like saying, "OK. DUI is a crime and you have 7 years to quit drinking and driving." OR... "OK. Murder is a crime and you have 7 years to quit murdering people." Would we stand for that? This is crime against animals (the silent souls who need us)and we are joyous over winning the proposition after decades of torture and cruelty. Why do we have to wait 7 more years??? Because it is a business? A torture business that might lose money if we rush it? I was happy at first and now I am upset again at the cavalier attitude the lawmakers and the courts take. I want the cruelty to stop NOW, not 7 years from now.
Posted by: Diane Smelser | November 7, 2008 03:30 AM
That's absolutely WONDERFUL! :)
It should be taken as an example for the rest of the world. Yes, our world IS changing! I'm so happy I can see this change.
Posted by: Liane from Brazil | November 7, 2008 04:16 AM
This is way past due even in Panama (Central America) they don't have chickens in cages.
I know that first hand because my Uncle wa a chicken farmer there. I know it took way to long to do the same here. Thank God we are finally waking up an smelling the roses.
All of these animals are God's creations and we should give them the respect they deserve and that is a fact.
THANK GOD FOR ALL THE CARING PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES NOW AND FOREVER AS I AM SURE HE WILL!!!
Posted by: Carol R Hill | November 7, 2008 09:44 AM
Hi!
Good job, but 2015 !!?? I want it to happen tomorrow!! Let fight for it!! Together we stand!! We should write Governor Arnold every day a letter! He can make it happen tomorrow.
Chris
Posted by: Chris Gruber | November 7, 2008 10:47 AM
Thats great news but the pressure still needs to be put on heavier than ever to make changes like these world wide. But its a great step foward. Its a pity the laws are not enforced immediately...Why Not?
Posted by: alan | November 7, 2008 10:54 AM
Im proud to say that I was a part of three important victories this month! 1. Signing a petition for the cruelty to pigs 2. Signing a petition for the greyhounds. 3. Voting in one of the most important elections in our worlds history! Peta is phenomenal! Keep up the great work! However, Icing on the cake would be to see an animal control created to help animals in Jersey City, NJ.
Posted by: Alicia | November 7, 2008 02:37 PM
It's really amazing that finally this is down in law, at least somewhere in the world.
But what always gets on my nerves is that Governments say they'll do something...in seven years.
That's seven more years of animals confined to these horrible conditions. Surely it takes less time to give animals the basics they deserve.
Posted by: Jesse | November 7, 2008 07:56 PM
FROM BRAZIL.
I keep myself updated with the news and with greay joy I see that the world is changing the way animals are treated,laws that protect animals are being voted here too and I keep praying for that in the future all cruelty against animals to be seen as a crime in all countrys arround the world.
God bless Peta for it´s wonrderfull job.
Posted by: Lorenza Feitosa | November 8, 2008 05:41 AM
I am happy for this good news, so I want that life for all animals and with less pain, fear, sopprusi ...
Tiziana
Posted by: tiziana | November 8, 2008 12:32 PM
Congratulations to all of the voters in CA and MA who voted to pass these propositions! Well done! The same is true for those who labored diligently to lend these measures support regardless of where they live.
Posted by: David | November 8, 2008 06:56 PM
Estoy muy contenta de que algo esté sucediendo en favor de los animales en las Factory Farmings, es realmente cruel el tratamiento dado a los infelices animales, que son víctima del sadismo de sus torturadores humanos. Lo mismo en la industria de pieles, hasta los conejitos, que no emiten sonidos habitualmente, gritan al ser desollados vivos. Las personas no quieren escuchar estas historias, y les parece "agresivo", el hecho de se comentar esta realidad terrible. Felicitaciones por el avanzo en California, y quiera Dios que continue el camino de la conpasión de aqui para adelante.
Posted by: Miriam Braschi | November 9, 2008 01:47 PM
Greed is not our creed!
The Meat & Milk Industry is loaded with funds and could IMMEDIATELY, if they so choose, LOWER THE PRICE of milk, eggs and meat. They cry poverty and scream higher prices because they need to use fear tactics to convince voters to vote against Prop 2 in Ca. and continue cruel, cheap, poisonous ways of imprisoning farm creatures and negligently poisoning the countryside with animal feces filled with antibiotics. Cows and their innocent, loving calves, sows and their bouncy, pink piglets and chickens with their fluffy, yellow chicks are cruelly separated from each other and imprisoned for their life. These are god's good creatures, put on this earth to enhance our lives, not to be inhumanely imprisoned, doped up, hideously treated throughout their sad and painful lives which culminate with the hoisting by machine to confirm their deepest fear of hanging upside down with hooks in their neck or back or chest, listening in terror, to the anguish of the thousands of family members, being butchered like this every day of every month of every year for the easy profit of the cruel and thieving scum known as the: Meat & Milk Industry. Hanging upside down while alive to await the electro-shock is the cruelest of deaths. This also creates a hormonal effect, flooding the animal with negative fear and pain hormones. This ruins the meat but that is not the main point The public is unaware of these practices and the Factory "prisons" don't speak of the Unspeakable, but I ran a bio-organic sheep farm for 10 years and know the hideousness of the Meat Industry.Their pretty pictures of happy cows is something that ended 60 years ago except on smaller organic and family farms. This is nauseating and must be stopped in the name of ethics, morals and human benevolence and understanding. Greed is not our creed!
Prop 2 will take affect in 2015 so HOW THE $#$%^%^ can the factory prisons claim higher prices. They are fear-mongers who want to keep their Cadillacs at the expense of humane treatment of god's beautiful gifts to humanity. What price corruption.
Let me remind you that these practices are ILLEGAL in Europe and have been for as long as I have been in this industry. May Fac/Prison owners come back as pregnant sows on their hideous torture factories.
I am a Bio-Organic Sheep Ranch Farmer who made a fine living caring for her "products" as nature intended.
Posted by: Daylight | November 9, 2008 05:51 PM
Do you really know what pig crates are for with the pregnant pigs? Have you ever SEEN a pregnant pig? They can't move, period! Crates are designed to keep the sow (that's the mother pig) from rolling over and smothering/squishing her piglets (those are the babies). Eliminating crates is just stupid and will end up causing more deaths in the piglets, thus less pigs. I see a slight problem here.
Posted by: Kayla | November 10, 2008 04:31 PM
Yes, Kayla, we do know what gestation crates are for, that's why we oppose them. We also know what sows and piglets are, what kind of idiots do you take us for?! LOL
Posted by: lynda downie | November 11, 2008 01:30 AM
Kayla,
You falsely believe that because pregnant pigs wont be in gestation crates in California anymore[2015]they will smother and roll over on to their baby piglets.
Here is the fact. Right before giving birth,a sow is moved from the gestation crate into a farrowing crate,a metal stall designed to separate the mother pig from her nursing piglets.So ask yourself this.If gestation crates where so great at preventing the mother pig from rolling onto her piglets why would the mother pig need to be moved to the farrowing crate to give birth.The answer is obvious.This is because gestation crates are not the safe crates the meat industry wants you to believe.
Thank you California,Arizona,Colorado, among other states,for banning these cruel severe confining factory farming devices!
Posted by: jturbo | November 11, 2008 08:44 PM
Gestation crates are used so that the sows do not fight. Fighting causes injuries. Injuries hurt. Gestation crates enable the pigs to not get hurt.
And getting off the subject...by doing silly things such as this, do you realize that if you shut down the animal/meat production industry, (which God forbid never happens), you'll be costing thousands of Americans their jobs? That will have a HUGE negative economic impact in the country. PLUS you'll be forcing Americans to start importing an outrageous amount of food to feed the US. We're already importing more than we're exporting, which is backwards. We should be feeding the world, not vice versa. We will still import our meat, but it will be of low quality, and produced in farms that are cruel to animals and have no protocols or standards on how animals should be treated. That's just some food for thought. Have a fabulous day.
Posted by: Jo Beth | November 12, 2008 03:59 PM
Paul Sundberg, a veterinarian and vice-president of the U.S. National Pork Producers Council told The Washington Post: "Farmers treat their animals well because that's just good business. The key to sow welfare isn't whether they are kept in individual crates or group housing, but whether the system used is well managed." Sundberg said: "[S]cience tells us that she [a sow] doesn't even seem to know that she can't turn ... She wants to eat and feel safe, and she can do that very well in individual stalls."[5]
The Washington Post reports that researchers have not found sows in gestation crates to have elevated levels of stress hormones. The author writes that this suggests their overall health is not compromised.
What you're doing is punishing 100% of the farmers, when it's only a small minority that's not well managed. Focus on THOSE farms, not the majority that do things right and feed Americans good, healthy pork. =)
Posted by: Kayla | November 12, 2008 04:02 PM
This is beautiful, more beautiful!
Italia
Giovanna Gramignano
Posted by: giovanna | November 13, 2008 12:03 PM
Jo Beth,
I read your comment.
I do pig rescue and my uncle owns a true small farm where the animals get to do their natural behaviors.
I will tell you pigs only fight when under extreme stress-just like any other species.
Sows are put in gestation crates not for the pigs own good but for the multi billion dollar greed's bottom line and for nothing else.
Jo Beth,we don't have get our meat imported for it to be low quality-it already is-here in the U.S. Here in the U.S. the meat already comes from a terrorized animal and already comes from an industrialized corporate factory farm that treats the animals in a cruel sadistic manner and no "protocols and standards",like you say.Have a wonderful day now!
Posted by: jturbo | November 18, 2008 11:25 PM
Kayla,
I do not care the CEO of the U.S. National Pork Producers Council spoke on behalf of that Council.They are all liars.Of course they are going to say the animals are treated well.I wish that truly was the case.There wouldn't be any need for animal protection groups wasting their precious resources fighting huge corporations.
There are to many bad apples who abuse their animals for it to be just a "small minority". Every single time a "farm" gets caught abusing the animals,they ALWAYS say it is an isolated case.I know it is easier on the mind to be in denial of the atrocious barbaric unimaginable treatment going on inside those warehouse walls.Video does not lie.People do.
Posted by: jturbo | November 18, 2008 11:45 PM
Thank you PETA for all that you do for our precious animals.
Posted by: j gedridge | December 6, 2008 11:34 AM
the whole world should follow suit..NOW!
Posted by: susan | December 7, 2008 04:29 PM