The massacre of a flock of ostriches in Edgewood, B.C., is finished; the carnage is complete and heartbreaking. Immediately following the Supreme Court's decision to deny the farm's appeal, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency wrapped up preparations and honed their weaponry. Under cover of darkness, they descended upon the resting flock, birds who had no reason to believe that humans were the enemy. Trusting, they nestled down to rest. And then the shooting began.
The CFIA refers to their killing spree as a "cull". But I call it a massacre because there is no good reason to hide behind more aesthetically pleasing words when exposing the truth. (We "cull" apples and peaches and turnips, not living beings.)
This was not a cull, it was a massacre of sentient animals. Witnesses describe a horrific extermination of beautiful, intelligent, sensitive birds - the same animals who delighted us with their friendly personalities and their lively pirouettes (ostrich dances). Many of them died suffering at the hands of the so-called marksman and the callous CFIA veterinarians. Evidently there were between 300 and 330 ostriches on the property (although even that is being questioned because surveillance counts and photographic evidence in recent weeks showed far fewer birds). Yet witnesses heard up to 800 shots ringing out in the night after the carnage began. It is claimed that there were gunshots fired even in the early morning of the following day - the final kill shots granted to suffering birds who were still alive?
But let's be clear - this time the CFIA has made a huge mistake. The agency was caught by surprise, underestimating the power of compassion and the determination of the people. Compelling evidence of cruelty has been gathered and, even though the ostriches lie dead, they have left behind a legacy that will change the face of agriculture and how government leaders view the importance of animals. The coming days will expose the lies and the corruption. And there will be change.
We expect empathy from government, not ruthlessness and tyranny.
We are the change. We will end the cruel air exports of live horses to slaughter. We will continue to expose the inhumanity and ineptitude of the CFIA.