Libertarian Vegan

A new study shows that crabs do in fact feel pain, and that they also retain a memory of it.  Results of the study, undertaken by researchers at Queen’s University Belfast in UK, are published in the journal Animal Behavior.

In the study, hermit crabs received shocks through wires attached to their bellies.  The ones who were shocked left their shells behind in search of a new painfree home.  The ones who were not shocked did not move.  Conclusion?  Shocking hermit crabs “is unpleasant for them.”

In another test, a shock just below the threshold that caused them to abandon their shells was administered, and they were then offered new shells.  While both shocked and non-shocked crabs inspected the new shell, shocked ones were much more likely to move into the new shell.

Researcher Bob Elwood explained, “We know from previous research that they can detect harmful stimuli and withdraw from the source of the stimuli but that could be a simple reflex without the inner ‘feeling’ of unpleasantness that we associate with pain.  This research demonstrates that it is not a simple reflex but that crabs trade-off their need for a quality shell with the need to avoid the harmful stimulus.”

Elwood undertook a study in 2007 where acetic acid was administered to the antennae of prawns.  The acid irritated them, and after a local anesthetic was applied, they would stop rubbing their antennae.

So…if crabs can feel pain, what does that say about the common practice of boiling them alive?

I noted yesterday that it was Descartes who first popularized the argument that we could eat animals because they don’t have a soul, and without a soul, they can’t feel pain.  Before Descartes, meat-eating was justified on a scriptual level - God said it was okay.

Once people began to question religion during the Enlightenment, the ethics of eating meat were trickier.  John Reynolds, criticising the deists, said that if men dismissed scripture, then they should be vegetarian.  If the Bible was an invention, then it would be necessary to “let the Butcher’s Trade be cashier’d from off the Face of the Earth; let the Shambles be converted into Fruiterer’s Shops, and Herb-Markets…[and] have done with their Ragous, with their Fricassies, and Hashes, made of broken Limbs of dismember’d Brother Animals.”(1725)

Sorry Descartes.

As an interesting note, most of the early Western vegetarians found their beliefs in the Bible as well.  They saw that Adam and Eve lived in harmony with the animals, eating a herbivorous diet.  So, they figured, a return to this paradise must involve a vegetarian diet.

Sources: Live Science - Boiling Mad:Crabs Feel Pain March 27, 2009

Stuart, Tristram.  The Bloodless Revolution: A Cultural History of Vegetarianism from 1600 to Modern Times, 2006.

Sadly a day does not go by without countless stories about animal cruelty from all over the United States.  I occasionally recount them here to reinforce the fact that there is not excuse for such behavior, and yet most of us reinforce animal cruelty through our chosen diets.

Lake City, Florida - Four teens, none of which are old enough to even drive a car, are in custody after stealing five dogs from the Lake City Humane Society, throwing one off a bridge.  One of the boys in custody admitted to throwing the dog off the 21 foot high bridge, killing it.  One of the dogs is unaccounted for, but the rest are back safely in the shelter.

Ossipee, New Hampshire - Dale Bozzio, rock star and playboy bunny has been convicted of animal cruelty after authorities found 12 cats in her house last year that had to be euthanized.  Bozzie was the frontwoman of 80s band Missing Persons and also performed with Frank Zappa.

Waynesboro, Virginia - Authorities seized 34 horses and ponies belonging to Tory Allen Garrett, many of which were severely malnourished.   He was charged with animal cruelty after a business associate of his took an emaciated pony to a veterinarian.

Statesville, North Carolina - Jennifer Lytton faces 1 misdemeanor count of assault on a child under 12, one felony animal cruelty count, and 2 misdemeanor counts of instigating animal cruelty.  Her daughter told one of her teachers that her mom put out a cigarette on her nose.  When authorities showed up at her house to investigate, they found a dog skeleton in the backyard, along with 2 malnourished pit bulls.

Det. Sgt. Bill Hamby explained the connection between animal and human abuse cases - “It’s almost to the point where if you can do that to an animal, you may be able to do that to an adult.  You kind of dehumanize the adult, bringing him down to the animal’s level.”

I was rereading Henry David Thoreau’s Walden today, and here are a few things that he had to say about our relationship to animals.  (Remember, he is writing this in the 1840s) -

“No humane being past the thoughtless age of boyhood, will wantonly murder any creature which holds its life by the same tenure that he does. (pg 144)

“I have found myself repeatedly, of late years, that I cannot fish without failing a little in self-respect…there is something essentially unclean about this diet and all flesh…” (pg. 145)

“I believe that every man who has ever been earnest to preserve his higher or poetic faculties in the best condition has been particularly inclined to abstain from animal food, and from much food of any kind.” (pg. 146)

“Is it not a reproach that man is a carnivorous animal?  True, he can and does live, in a great measure, by preying on other animals; but this is a miserable way…he will be regarded as a benefactor of his race who shall teach man to confine himself to a more innocent and wholesome diet…I have no doubt that it is a part of the destiny of the human race, in its gradual improvement, to leave off eating animals…” (pg. 147)

Somehow I think the wise Mr. Thoreau would have some issues with our current diet.  The fact that the U.S. alone slaughters billions of animals a year, without any reason beyond desire, sadly does not quite live up to his expectations.

“How long, pray, would a man hunt giraffes if he could?  Snipes and woodcocks also may afford rare sport, but I trust it would be nobler game to shoot one’s self.” (pg. 217)

Cheers!

You can tell a great deal about a person’s character by how they treat animals.  Here is a roundup of a small sampling of animal cruelty news from around the United States over the past few days:

Belle Glade, FL - Eric Jones charged with animal cruelty after his dog was found chained in a yard without food, water or shelter. Coco (seen below) weighed 20 lbs and could not walk or stand.

Ellenville, NY - Wendy Ayuso, former owner of the Fins and Feathers pet store plead guilty to charges of animal cruelty.  Investigators from the SPCA found rampant abuse and neglect - 480 animals and fish were seized, most were ill, many dying and some already dead.  She was sentenced to 30 days, a $250 fine and 75 hours of community service.

Canton, NC - Anna Marie Robinson arrested on animal cruelty charges.  Officers found a dead fox hound-mix dog, severely emaciated, with a pillow in its mouth it was trying to eat for food.  The dead dog and 13 neglected cats were removed.  Officers said the house was covered in garbage and smelled of animal feces.

Flomaton, AL - Dale Carnley was sentenced to 15 years for dogfighting.  After fighting his dog, Dale showed off its wounds while trying to sell it to undercover police.  Six dogs were seized, along with dog fighting paraphernalia.

Groveport, OH - Police looking for 24 year old Adam Brewer, who used a crossbow to shoot 2 arrows through his own pitbull.  City Prosecutor Bill Hedrick said “Dogs can’t choose their owners. We can choose to pursue those who don’t take animal ownership responsibly and don’t treat them appropriately. This was a pretty bad case of cruelty, and we are pursuing it.“

Humans are just highly evolved animals - well, as these stories show, some are more evolved than others.

Montana state representative Ed Butcher (yes, that is his real name) says that his state is a great place to build a horse slaughterhouse and is promoting a bill to make that dream a reality.

Butcher says that the county is in need of a slaughterhouse for horses because of horse abandonment and cruelty towards the animals during hard economic times.  His bill, H. 418, would limit what a state could do to stop or delay construction of a horse slaughterhouse.  The last one in the county (in DeKalb, IL) was shut down in 2007 when courts upheld an Illinois law prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption.

The Humane Society of the United States has said that the bill is bad for both Montana and horses. VP for government affairs Nancy Perry said, “A slaughterhouse killing what are not generally regarded as food animals presents a difficult image problem.”  She also said claims of humane treatment don’t stand up.

However, Butcher remained optimistic about killing horses - “It’s boom!” he said. “The horse is deceased.”

As seen in North Dakota and Wyoming, the strategy of those seeking a horse slaughter plant has been to frame it as they are doing what is best for the animals.  However, does anyone actually believe these plants would only be used for horses that are either past their prime or “unwanted”?  If so, that seems a waste of money.  Simply, horses would begin to be raised solely to be sold to slaughterhouses.

There are many more “unwanted” dogs and cats in this country than unwanted horses - it would make more economic sense to open up slaughterhouses for them.

Butcher made headlines back in 2007 when he referred to an American Indian legislator as “chief” and asked if a chairman’s gavel was a “war club.”  In his”apology,” Butcher said, “It was meant as a compliment.”

Sources: Forbes - Legislator finds MT right for horse slaughter February, 11, 2009

Missoulian - Lawmaker apologises for racist comments toward Indian collegue January 6, 2007

Resurrecting Abraham Lincoln is all the rage these days.  Let us not forget his love of animals - “I care not much for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.”  

Animal cruelty news this past week:

 McCune, Kansas - McCune Mayor Donald Call was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty after fatally shooting two dogs in the head.  Call drove to the house of Duane Wahl and shot the dogs from the window of his van as they lay on the sidewalk.  He said a neighbor of Wahl had told him the dogs were chaseing nearby children.

 Los Angeles, California - The LAPD have become a national model for enforcement of animal cruelty laws, devoting 5 officers and detectives to a task force devoted to investigating animal abuse and neglect.  LAPD Det. Susan Brumagin said, “None of the people we arrest think they could go to prison for hurting a dog or a cat. They don’t show remorse. . . . They’re more shocked and surprised.”  One such case was Gene Speer who was found walking around with a dead terrier in his backpack.  It belonged to his roommate and he beat it to death with a shoe after it deficated on the carpet.

Snohomish County, Washington - Jason and Serenna Larsen were charged with six counts each of animal cruelty for their part in running a puppy mill operation.  Officials seized 155 dogs from their property, most were covered in feces, diseased, starving and dehydrated.

Little Rock, Arkansas - Gov. Mike Beebe signed a bill making animal cruelty (against dogs, cats and horses - a.k.a. cute animals) a felony.  First time offenders face a $10,ooo fine and up to 6 years in jail. Arkansas is the 46th state to make cruelty to animals a felony.

Apparently someone did remember -  Lincoln’s Love of Animals

Not a day goes by without reports of animal cruelty throughout the United States.  Here are just a few these past days -

Temecula, CA - 67 year old man in jail for suspected animal cruelty after animal control officers found over 300 malnourished or dead dogs and cats at his trailer home.  Responding to a call over a vicious dog, the officers found and followed two dogs, which led them to a pile of dead dogs.  Some had been eaten by other dogs.  204 carcasses were found in black trash bags in sheds and barrels.  It took officers some 12 hours to remove all the animals.

Cecil County, MD - Investigation has begun into the Cecil County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, where, ironically, animal cruelty is suspected.  Former employees and volunteers reported seeing abuses, including animal control officers shooting or incinerating live dogs that didn’t succumb to euthanasia.

Houston, TX - Harris County District Attorney Particia Lykes vowed to stop the dumping of dogs killed in illegal dogfighting operations.  “They dump injured dogs and dead dogs. This will no longer be a cemetery for dead dogs,” she declared.

Knox County, KY - Couple indicted on 16 counts of animal cruelty.  The case of Earl Enlow, 24, and Melaine Rogers, 22, began last September when animal control officers found numerous dead and malnourished animals on their property.  At least one horse, rabbit, and cat were found dead, along with 5 dogs and 3 roosters.  Officers seized 13 live dogs and 6 horses, many of which were malnourished.

I think most people would agree the above stories, (especially the 204 carcasses in trash bags), are revolting.  But what about when animal cruelty is done in the name of “gourment” food?  That brings us to the question - what the heck is rennet?  Essentially it is enzymes used in the production of cheese.

According to Wisegeek, “Rennet is an extract from the fourth stomach of young ruminants, such as cows, goats, and sheep. This extract contains a number of enzymes which are designed to help these animals digest their mother’s milk, and when added to milk, rennet will cause the milk to coagulate, forming the curds and whey which are so essential in the cheesemaking process.”

Mostly it comes from the stomachs of baby cows, like this little guy - 

and these stomachs are a by product of making veal.  Normally the baby cows are taken away from their mothers within two or three days of their birth.  Often they are kept chained in small crates so they cannot move.  Since they can’t use their muscles, it keeps the meat nice and tender.

When they are slaughtered, the stomachs are taken and the rennet is used in cheesemaking.  Most cheeses on the market are made in this fashion, but not all.  It is very difficult to tell, however, as ingredients normally just have “enzymes” listed, without the source.

Vegetable and microbial rennet can also be used in place of the stomach enzymes.  The only store I know who labels their cheeses as “Vegetarian” and “Traditional” rennet is Whole Foods. (whose founder happens to be a libertarian vegan )  For those of you who cannot give up cheese but perhaps don’t want to eat the by-product of killing baby cows, here is the best listing I could find of vegetarian cheeses.

As always, this past week has seen a number of animal cruelty stories across these United States - here are only a few of them:

Ripley, Mississippi -  Nellie Bracken and Margaret Payne are to be charged with 15 counts of animal cruelty and neglect.  After a neighbor reported two dogs left in a minivan on their property for several days, police showed up to find a number of dogs and a cat in a trailer and on the property, dying of thirst and hunger.

Suffolk, Virginia - Snowball, a tethered dog, died after receiving a laceration to its neck.  Also, a dog was taken into the woods, shot, and killed.

Albany, New York - A man left his dog outside in the extreme cold without food, water, or heat.  The dog is not expected to live.

Laurel Hill, Florida - A man arrested for driving his car over a  family’s dog will stand trial.  In July 2007 he drove his vehicle over the family’s pet, shut off the vehicle, restarted it and drove over the dog again.

Johnston, Pennsylvania -  A dog was found wandering the streets on new year’s eve with third degree burns over 30% of its body, including his head and neck.  The owner, Erik Licht, said the dog’s bandana caught on fire and he tried to put it out by throwing his drink, which contained rum, amaretto, and vodka, on the dog.   He said he was not able to afford a vet, so he just set the dog loose.

When this is how we treat “cute” animals, how do we treat the rest?  Mostly as machines.  Take, for instance, milk.  While all mammals produce milk, we normally use the general term to specifically refer to cow’s milk.  First off, there is absolutely nothing natural about drinking another species’ milk, which is intended solely for its offspring.  Humans are the only ones that do it.  Can you imagine another species drinking human milk?

Dairy cows on factory farms are essentially treated as machines.  It has become commonplace to force dairy cows to produce 100 pounds of milk a day - ten times higher than they’d ever produce naturally.  They are often artificially inseminated every year to keep the milk coming, and pumped full of growth hormones.

Over milking is painful to the animals and leads to infections, which leads to overuse of antibiotics, which can get into milk, along with blood and pus from infected utters. Delicious.

The only natural milk for humans to drink is human milk.  Somehow I don’t think your mother is up for that anymore.

Today has seen a number of reports of animal cruelty come in from across the country, here is the roundup:

Willow Springs, NC - Six horses were put in foster care after they were found starving in a pasture, eating moldy hay, dirt and bark off of trees.  A 7th was dead from complications due to starving.  The Animal Defense Fund has filed suit against the horses owners, Michael and Judy Keating and their daughter Gayle

Billings, MT - Linda Kapsa faces two counts of felony animal cruelty and other charges related to her dog breeding operations, as she failed to properly feed and care for the dogs, which she sold on the internet.  199 dogs were seized, and another two dozen dead dogs were found at a kennel she runs.  Two of the dogs seized died from a canine virus, numerous others were treated for open wounds, broken bones and other injuries.  Many were found living outside with temps dropping 15 to 20 degrees below zero.

Hampton, VA - 2 female pitbulls were found dead in a dumpster behind Maaco’s auto body, wrapped in bloody carpets.  Obviously used for dogfighting, they had severe animal bites all over, along with deep puncture wounds on their legs, shoulders, necks and faces.  And they were both shot in the head.  Authorities are trying to track down the owners

Waupaca, WI - Investigators are hunting for the snowmobilers who slaughtered 5 deer.  The animals were apparently run down by the snowmobiles, one of which had its stomach ripped open by the machine.  3 were found dead in a field, a fourth was found with broken legs and euthanized.  The 5th was dragged from the field and tied to a tree.  Two were bucks, three does, and one was a fawn.  Authorities are searching for the guilty parties.

These are horrible instances, and the stories are replete with comments about “how could people do this” and the like.  I certainly agree, but why is this behavior condemned, while this:

is not only tolerated and tacitly endorsed by the millions of people who eat beef?  We don’t talk about “cute” animal cruelty or “domesticated” animal cruelty, but simply animal cruelty.  Why does this only apply to certain “worthy” creatures?  Wouldn’t this rightly fit with those stories above -

Anywhere, USA - Anywhere’s slaughterhouse met the nation’s average today, killing 250 cattle every hour.  Per the Humane Slaughter Act, each of the cows are supposed to be rendered unconscious, and so each of the 250 were “stunned” by a mechanical blow to the head.  However, as this is imprecise, a good number were still fully conscious when they were hung up by their back legs and bled to death.  Unconscious or not, they were each “stuck” in the throat with a knife, ending their life.

How does this not come under the heading of “animal cruelty”?  It happens every single day in slaughterhouses across the nation.

“The cow is a poem of compassion.” - Gandhi