By Sandy Amazeen Jun 11, 2007, 3:28 GMT
Beginning with a scathing look at the meat industry, animal advocates Erin Williams and Margo DeMello shed light on the all too frequently appalling conditions facing cows, poultry, pigs, rabbits and fish. Around 10 billion land animals are raised and slaughtered for food in the U.S. alone and with little legislation in place to protect them, these creatures often live in dirty, cramped cages or pens without access to sunlight and sometimes without food and water. Common slaughterhouse procedures may well have the most ardent meat eater searching for a salad as the authors reveal how stunning and bleeding practices often leave the animals fully conscious as they are plunged into vats of boiling water. If you think the milk and egg industry is any better, think again as the authors reveal the deplorable conditions laying hens and dairy cows face as enormous agribusinesses replace the family farms. Turkeys fare no better as they are genetically enhanced beyond the point where their legs can support them without damage and their size prohibits natural procreation. It is not only the animals that suffer as workers must breath air filled with blood and fecal particles. There are environmental concerns regarding deteriorating water and air quality as direct a result of this industrialized approach. Unfortunately, the pet, textile and cosmetic industries aren’t any better.
This is a thought-provoking look at the way we distance ourselves from the creatures we routinely raise for food. It shows the insensitive attitudes that reduce thinking, feeling animals to nothing more then a product to be used and discarded in whatever way best suits the bottom line. These revelations are the strength of this book so one has to wonder why the authors chose to include overly dewy-eyed tales of rescued animals, this serves to dilute an otherwise excellent expose.
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