A lot of us are vegetarians. We know that, and many of us are proud to call ourselves veggie eaters. Recently, I watched a video on the killing of livestock, and though I'm not a vegetarian or planning to become one, I feel it is necessary to stop the cruelty to the animals we eat. My family buys meat and eggs that are local and free-range. A lot of commercial eggs and meat comes from chickens and livestock that are abused, neglected, and crammed into cages with barely any space to lie down. Same with fish. Some people become complete vegetarians (people that only eat fish are pescatarians) to prevent eating abused fish. One of the differences between commercial and free-range meat is the way they are slaughtered. In the video I saw, the pigs were hung upside-down by chains and their throats were slit, resulting in a slow, painful death. I read a book on meat, and the humane way they slaughtered a cow was ideal. They simply led it into a small corral and ended its life with a cattle gun, which took all of one second to kill it. Now many people may be against killing any animal, but humans will not stop eating meat. I respect every vegetarian's opinion, and I believe they should do the same to us omnivores.

Free-range lifestock live a happy life. The cows and sheep are free to roam in large pastures and graze on healthy grasses, and the dairy cows are milked when needed and the process is done humanely. The chickens aren't forced to lay eggs and are let out to wander around the property. The pigs are given sufficient meals and big areas to rest. When they are slaughtered, there is hardly any pain or stress involved. Commercial livestock does not have life like this. It has been proven that meat that comes from distressed animals is unhealthy. Farms that say they are "family-owned," or claim to be "free-range" sometimes aren't true. Research is ideal if a shopper wants to know the condition of their animal products or an agreement between a farmer and inspector. On commercial farms, dairy cows are kept in tight stalls and are killed after 4 or 5 years, despite their normal lifespan of 25 years. They are given drugs that stimulate their bodies to produce more milk than normal. Many of them become lame or milk deprived and are killed, only to become pet food, cheap hamburger meat, along with many other low-grade food items. The calves are taken away from the mothers at a young age while the mothers are kept in tight stalls with milk machines attached to their teats several times a day.

The chickens are also given stimulants that make them produce more eggs and are caged up so tightly that it is rare that one chicken can spread its wings. They also become lame because of the metal bars of their cages. Male chicks are killed by being ground up alive, put in hot water, or thrown into trash bags to be put in dumpsters, where they starve or suffocate to death.

Male piglets are castrated by hand or their tails are ripped off by pliers, all while they are still conscious. Sometimes they are slammed into transport carts by their ears or legs or tossed from worker to worker. Pregnant sows are kept in tight spaces where they can hardly turn around or even take one step. A lot of pigs suffer from open sores and deep cuts, which are left untreated.

These are only a few animals that suffer this brutal treatment. Others include sheep, goats, gamebirds, horses, llamas, and rabbits, along with many others. This all needs to be stopped. These animals are treated as if they are unintelligent or immune to pain. Pigs and cows happen to be intelligent animals, able to recall faces and figure out everyday tasks. Livestock deserves to live a happy life and be treated with respect. We need to end this abuse now by making it illegal and having farms inspected by professionals. For more information, go to whatcamebefore.com and watch the video that inspired this petition (there are graphic images of abuse, so please watch at your own leisure) and help make a difference today!

Notice: The video listed here is age-restricted. If people under 18 wish to view, go to whatcamebefore.com and view there.