AR-News: (NC) letter: Extend compassion for pets to all animals; don't eat them

[MEATSTINKS at aol.com]

http://cgi.citizen-times.com/cgi-bin/story/letters/56257
Asheville Citizen-Times
June 9, 2004

Extend compassion for pets to all animals; don't eat them
The AC-T coverage of a recent funeral mentioned the deceased's love for 
animals and his love of eating steak. I applaud his commitment to improving the 
lives of dogs and cats, but it should be noted that his love of animals extended 
only to companion animals. People who love animals don't eat the objects of 
their compassion. Such comments highlight the schizophrenic relationships 
between humans and animals. Why do we choose to pet some animals and eat others? 
Surely it isn't based on intelligence, as pigs are smarter than dogs, and 
chickens score higher on cognitive function tests than do dogs or cats. It can't be 
based on cuteness, because most species of "food animals" are much better 
looking than bulldogs and pugs.
And all animals have distinct individual personalities. Shouldn't we extend 
kindness based on sentience? All animals feel pain. When we sit down to eat, we 
can choose compassion or we can choose cruelty. To see a short video showing 
standard agricultural practices at factory farms and slaughterhouses, visit 
www.MeetYourMeat.com. Ask yourself if you would mutilate and dismember 
fully-conscious animals as is done on the video. If not, why are you paying others to 
do it for you?
Stewart David,
Asheville
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