Animal Abuse In Slaughterhouses

“If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone in the world would be a vegetarian.” This is a quote by Linda McCartney and it could not be more true. People do not really think about what happens to farm animals in slaughterhouses in order to provide for our human needs. They give us with food, materials, and have even aided us in medicine. It is clear that animals are essential to human existence and therefore should be treated with respect, right? Well, in all reality, this is not the case, especially in slaughterhouses. Farm animals in slaughterhouses endure some of the most cruel treatment and neglect. The conditions that they are forced to live in and the way that they are slaughtered are just so inhumane, it is unbelievable. There are so many welfare issues associated with slaughterhouses that it is hard to believe that it actually happens, but it does. Firstly, slaughterhouses are required to follow the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. This act was passed in 1960 and prohibits any person from inflicting, causing, or permitting unnecessary pain or suffering on any animal. “This act makes it a crime to beat, kick, torture, mutilate, administer an …show more content…
“They include stunning equipment, handling systems, such as races, lair ages and restraint devices.” (Grandin) Maintenance of the equipment is also an issue. “The two major maintenance problem areas are poor captive bolt stunner maintenance and slick floors. A survey of 29 Canadian slaughter plants indicated that 21% had slick floors.” (Grandin) Slick floors is the number one equipment problem since it causes so many animals to slip and fall. “ Cockrum, Corley (1991) found that slipping increased stress. The second most common equipment maintenance problem in U.S slaughterhouses is the poor maintenance o the pneumatic captive bolt stunner. Stunner require careful maintenance to maintain maximum hitting power.”