Who is affected?

Animals are treated miserably in the dairy and meat industry in several ways, including:

• Inhumane slaughter: Dairy cows and other animals raised for food are slaughtered in brutal ways. They are hoisted up by their legs and have their throats slit while they are still conscious.
• Specific recipes: Some recipes, such as fluffy chicken, require that the chickens be subjected to immense torture. For example, fluffy chicken is a dish made from chickens that have been force-fed until their livers become enlarged. This is an excruciating and stressful process for the chickens. 
• Confining dogs and cats in small bags:  It is an extreme form of animal abuse, disregarding their rightful status as pets. Dogs, known for their loyalty, can serve crucial roles in security and as service animals. Remembering their inherent value as companions, not as food sources is essential.
• Live Stock Transport: Animals like Dogs, Cats, Sheep, Cows, Chickens, Goats, and many more are treated miserably as livestock during import and export. Dogs and cats are kept inside small bags. They are transported for long distances in cramped and unsanitary conditions. They are denied food, water, and rest resulting in extreme agony and pain.
• Forced impregnation: Dairy cows are forcibly impregnated every year so that they can continue to produce milk. This is done through artificial insemination, which can be painful and stressful for the cows.
• Separation of calves from their mothers: Calves are taken away from their mothers shortly after birth, often within hours. This is a very traumatic experience for both the calves and the mothers.
• Cruelty to male calves: Male calves are seen as a byproduct of the dairy industry and are often killed shortly after birth. They are sold for veal, which is a type of meat that is produced from young calves that have been confined in small crates and fed a diet that is low in iron. This results in the calves becoming pale and having soft, tender flesh.
• Dehorning and debeaking: Dairy cows and chickens are dehorned and debeaked without pain relief to prevent them from injuring each other or their handlers. However, it is a painful and unnecessary procedure.

What is at stake?

The torture of animals in the dairy and meat industry has a number of negative impacts on the environment, including:

• Greenhouse gas emissions: The production of animal products is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the production of beef is responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions than the production of any other type of food. This is because cows produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
• Water pollution: The production of animal products also contributes to water pollution. For example, the production of chicken requires a lot of water, and the waste from chickens can pollute waterways.
• Land use: The production of animal products also requires a lot of land. For example, it takes about 18 times more land to produce a pound of beef than it does to produce a pound of beans. This land use contributes to deforestation and habitat loss.
  In addition to these environmental impacts, the torture of animals in the dairy and meat industry also has a number of negative impacts on human health. For example, eating meat has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and obesity.

Why is now time to act?

Recognizing the importance of ending these practices, we must take active steps to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering for animals within the food chain. Continuing cruelty not only fosters increased selfishness and cruelty in humans, that has self-destructive consequences. Witnessing such acts deeply impacts the mental health of compassionate individuals. We need to enforce strict regulations and oversight to ensure ethical treatment of animals in the food industry. Immediate action is required to ban recipes causing animal suffering, like fluffy chicken, while assigning global authorities for rigorous monitoring. Zero tolerance must be upheld for any violations, whether mental or physical torture. Live animal transportation for meat should be prohibited, and a clear distinction must be made between pet animals (dogs, cats) and meat sources.

It is essential to recognise that subjecting them to mental and physical torture during their lives is a significantly more egregious offense than their subsequent demise.