Animals and Their Rights

The controversy surrounding animal rights has been debated since the 18th and 19th centuries. A lot of progress has been made since then, although there is still much more room for improvement. One debate is on the differences between humans and animals. The side that says humans and animals are much different lack solid, scientific evidence and rely on personal thoughts and feelings to back them up.

Most animal rights advocates agree that the difference should be thought of in degree and not in kind. Richard Ryder summed it up pretty well when he said, “Pain is pain regardless of its host.” Most scientists will verify that animals do react to pain and suffering in a negative manner. Not to mention, 2/3 of Americans agree that the right to live free from suffering is just as important for animals as it is for humans.

Why do we still slaughter more than seven billion animals every year inhumanely? Why do we allow animals arrive to slaughterhouses that aren’t even fit for slaughter because of their conditions? Hilda, for example, a sheep who was fortunately rescued from such a situation could tell you all about the conditions. When she arrived at the slaughterhouse she wasn’t able to walk, so the workers discarded her into a pile of already dead sheep even though she was still alive. She spent sixteen hours there until someone rescued her and brought her to see a veterinarian, within twenty minutes Hilda was eating and drinking and walking again.

Unfortunately, most animals aren’t as lucky as Hilda was. If Hilda had made it into the slaughterhouse, she would have been one of the approximately 250 animals slaughtered per hour. Abuse and neglect of livestock destined for human consumption and use is a moral problem that should be fixed by legally providing certain rights to all animals.

If everyone knew as much as they should about the conditions slaughtered animals endure prior to and during their killing, I think most would agree that they are not humane methods. These animals come from all over, some are retired dairy cows, some are horses, some are people’s beloved pets, and some are picked up at auctions which include all the above. Dairy cows are given hormones to speed up their ability to make more milk quicker, this stresses their bodies, so they have a very painful life and then after providing their services unwillingly and painfully for years they are slaughtered.