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Where does advocacy end and active abuse take over?
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Recently, animal rights advocacy group Mercy For Animals released a video they took on a western Texas dairy heifer ranch. For over two weeks – more specifically, 16 days – this group that claims to love animals and whose intention it is to see all animals treated humanely, stood idly by, with cameras on their persons and not only watched but participated in what their mission statement is against – the abuse of animals.
After filming the abuse, they went back to their “studios” and watched the abuse again and again as they edited the footage of these gruesome acts. Turning the videos over to the authorities, they patted themselves on the back for disclosing such horrific acts of animal abuse.
Mercy For Animals advocates filmed the abuse and edited the abuse, but have neglected to say that one of their members actually committed the abuse, too. Yes, that’s right: The owner of the E6 Ranch verified that one of the men in the video footage with a hammer in hand, was also a member of Mercy For Animals. But this is not a fact that will ever make front-page news.
By bringing this to the forefront, I’ve been accused of trying to cover up or protect the abusers. I’ve been compared to the MLB pitcher and accused steroid user, Roger Clemens, because I want everyone to know just exactly who all the guilty parties are instead of just nailing one farm and walking away.
Although I don’t like to bring animal abuse to the level of child abuse, because there is nothing more valuable in this world than a human life, I’m wondering how the world would react if child abuse prevention groups started filming the acts of an adult beating a child to death with a hammer.
Would we applaud the undercover videographer for filming the killing of an innocent child? Or, would we be a little outraged at the fact he didn’t stop the killing from happening? And while I’m not a lawyer, I’m pretty sure the video-grapher would face some kind of criminal charges too.
Animal abuse should not happen; haven’t we covered that well enough in the ag world? Videotaped animal abuse gives everyone in the livestock industry a black eye; I think we have that down, too. Employers should check references and go through their potential employees with a fine-tooth comb – that too is a no-brainer now.
But while farmers and ranchers take responsibility for what happens on their operations, take more precautions with their employees and open up the farm gate for transparency and accountability, who is minding the animal rights store?
Who will see to it that Mercy For Animals advocates aren’t bending and persuading the minds of farm employees? Who will see to it that HSUS keeps their hands out of the legislature? And just who cares enough about animal agriculture to take a stand and be ready to push back when shoved into a corner?
Call me Roger, but this is one area where you won’t shut me up. I’ve reinforced my soapbox and you’ll have a difficult time pushing me off.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication. |
| 5/5/2011 |
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