NPR: Tortured Cows in Your Kids' Lunch?

Tortured Cows in Your Kids' Lunch?

Filed under: News

OK, the title is a bit extreme, but seriously, that's what this is about.

The Washington Post and a bunch of other outlets have been reporting the story this week. Apparently an activist from the Human Society finagled his way into a slaughterhouse in California and videotaped employees doing everything possible to get sick and lame cows into the killing room so they can become meat.

Now, I am not a big animal-rights kind of gal. I love dogs and had a bird growing up and even worked on a cattle ranch in Wyoming one summer, but I'm not big on cow rights. Having said that, this video is pretty tough to watch. The employees use forklifts and chains to move these sick cows instead of euthanizing them like they are supposed to. To make matters worse, the meat from this particular slaughterhouse is sold to a federal school lunch program. Why is this so bad you ask? According to the article in the Post and the Humane Society, meat from sick cows is not really that good for you.

So the federal government has weighed in on this and launched an investigation, and the parent company of the slaughterhouse has apologized and suspended operations. But the whole thing launched a conversation in our editorial meeting. Not so much about slaughtering sick cows for meat products -- more about the ethics issues surrounding the meat industry.

How do you feel about this? Would it bother you to know that the T-bone you bought at the grocery store had been prodded with electric shocks? Does it matter? Should it? Should it not?

Rachel Martin

12:26 PM ET | 01-31-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Dear Ms. Martin,

If you have to ask whether it matters how we treat other living beings you should be ashamed of yourself.

Sent by Scott | 2:51 PM ET | 01-31-2008

HumanE society guys :)

I saw part of this on some TV show last night - it was just horrible. So yes, it matters, from both an ethical and a health point of view.

Sent by kathy | 2:55 PM ET | 01-31-2008

Although I can't bear to watch the video (the descriptions are graphic enough), it's clearly pretty horrible what these sick animals have to endure.

Sure, it matters. In the same way that it matters if a company uses sweatshop or child labor. Why use your consumer dollars to help a corporation profit while it increases the amount of suffering in the world? There are organic/free range options and I used to avail myself of those when I ate meat. (I'm a vege- fishe-tarian now because the hamburgers weren't worth the guilt I used to feel.)

Sent by Maura | 3:32 PM ET | 01-31-2008

Honestly years ago I might have been outraged but now it doesn't phase me. As much as I hate to say it, if you're going to eat meat that's produced by the meat industry I think you give up the rights to complain about how the animal is treated. They are bred and raised to be slaughtered. If that bothers you, consider becoming a vegetarian.

Sent by alice | 3:54 PM ET | 01-31-2008

It's hard to say. I am a former vegetarian (due to the environmental hazards of factory farming, and a little bit for animal rights), who came back to the carnivor world because I just couldn't resist a good steak. Ideally, I would love it if regular old hunting was the way that we got our meet, but that's not realistic. Beside the fact that there are many mouthes to feed in this country, is that we also (as you all know) "pile it on" at most every meal, AND often include some form of meat in every meal.
If it's concluded that meat from sick cows is hazardous to one's health, then by all means, don't serve it. I'm sure the world will figure out something else to eat.

Sent by MB | 4:07 PM ET | 01-31-2008

I'm really glad to see this article and link to the video posted. People need to see the reality of what factory farming really is - it's about the bottom line which is making money. And with big corporations like these the only thing you can do is make sure they are monitored and kept to a standard of humane practices. The best scenario would be to phase out big factory farms and bring back support for small family run farms that serve local areas. Smaller farms usually mean better farming and agriculture practices (often organic), including the humane treatment of animals.

Sent by Devon | 12:33 AM ET | 02-01-2008

I don't understand the shock this has caused. Slaughterhouses are places where animals who have been intensively farmed most of their lives experience the most intense suffering yet until they are killed (hopefully, though often not, quickly). As a vegan, I feel that most people in the U.S. are oblivious to the torture that is the norm in the meat industry. America has some of the least humane regulations in the entire Western world - most other countries have acknowledged that animals are not merely a means to an end. Perhaps knowing that most cows tested positive for BSE in the U.S. were downed animals would make this a more serious issue. The agriculture lobby is so powerful, however, that in order for the reality of animal suffering and the hazards to human health to come to light, Americans will have to wake up.

In response to the person whom it doesn't phase - even the USDA is somewhat phased, with a partial ban on downed animals entering the food supply. If the USDA is more sensitive than consumers, with the USDA catering so much to the meat industry, we might as well give up any regulatory authority whatsoever.

Sent by julia | 8:54 AM ET | 02-01-2008

As someone who spent over 3 years working an as animal control officer in D.C., I can say with certainty that if dogs or cats were subjected to the same horrific treatment as these sick and injured cows, it would lead to prosecution. Sadly, animals raised for food aren't given the same legal protections as dogs and cats. Cruelty is the norm in animal agribusiness. But there is something each one of us can do, starting today, to help stop these abuses -- choose vegetarian foods.

Sent by Erica | 10:25 AM ET | 02-01-2008

The video of these poor cattle being dragged to slaughter is heartbreaking. The meat industry does not consider Cattle, Pigs, or Chickens as living beings. These poor creatures are only seen as profit. My hope is that more people will become enraged by the cruel actions towards farm animals. We have the power to stop this cruel practice by refusing to eat meat. Choosing a vegetarian diet will reduce the demand for factory farmed animals, benefit your health, and help our environment. Please take the time to become more informed about Factory Farmed animals. You will be shocked!

Sent by Teresa | 9:45 PM ET | 02-01-2008

Do you really believe these situations don't take place everyday in every slaughter house in America? You actually believe that you and your family aren't contributing to this kind of action? Wake up! You've been eating downer cows every day! They are not going to stop - it is all about money. Not slaughtering a downer cow = less profits. These helpless, selfless, innocent animals are begging for us to protect them and make sure they are cared for. We have done a pathetic job and should be ashamed of ourselves. They are suffering - not because we are starving and need to eat their meat because there are no other alternatives, but because it sounds good and is so easy for us since animal products are in just about everything we consume! Get over yourself and take some responsibility over your food choices. Say no to this cruelty and become a vegan. You'll live longer, but the meat industry won't (hopefully).

Sent by Kristan | 10:17 PM ET | 02-02-2008

Glad I stumbled here.... seems like there are a lot people here so concerned about the meat they eat - best thing to do for health & heart is go VEGAN!

Sent by Bea Elliott | 10:53 PM ET | 05-28-2008

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