animal abuse

Every once in a while, with all the sustainable, organic and local options around, I wonder why I'm still a vegetarian. Then PETA comes out with another one of its undercover videos and I remember that there's a lot of meat produced in the world that isn't from grass fed cows and happy free range chickens.

Word of warning if you follow the link and watch the video. It's graphic. I was ok through the parts where they kicked the pigs and beat them. It was the part where they guy laughs while he smashes piglets into the floor and then the cute little things squirm and struggle, clearly not dead, that pretty much did me in.

The pig farm in Iowa where the video was filmed supplies pork to Hormel, the maker of Spam. PETA is encouraging it's members to write to Hormel and demand humane treatment of the pigs used to supply their pork.

Hormel's website responds: "We expect all current suppliers to adhere to the proper animal handling standards from day one and continue to do so throughout our relationship. We are working with our supplier to ensure this activity is no longer taking place."

(Full disclosure: I'm not PETA's biggest fan. Their stance on pitbulls and breed specific legislation isn't something I agree with, but someone has to go out there and defend the Wilburs of the world.)