HEADS IN THE SAND: What is not being said about the British Columbia ostrich case
Nearly a year ago the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the “destruction” of nearly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C. after being alerted to an avian flu outbreak that had killed dozens of ostriches. On November 6, the ostriches were corralled into a pen after which “professional marksmen” indiscriminately killed the flock over the course of several hours. Shots rang-out while supporters listened on, horrified and traumatized. It’s not surprising that this case has garnered international attention. Most people don’t want to see animals suffer. But most people are also selective in what animals they choose to love. Billions of animals are slaughtered every day for our temporary taste pleasure. Many others are used in experimental research and animal testing. Every single one of these animals is deserving of compassion, dignity, and protection from exploitation. If there is anything that can be learned from this tragic case, it’s that it gives us the opportunity to reflect on why we treat some animals as inherently valuable and worthy of life while actively exploiting and consuming others.
ROZALI: Once in a while an animal welfare case attracts international attention. In this case, it was the B.C. ostrich story that made headlines in Canada and beyond. For those who aren’t familiar, nearly a year ago the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the “destruction” of nearly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C. after being alerted to an avian flu outbreak that had killed dozens of ostriches. This, unfortunately, is standard behaviour for the CFIA, a federal agency that relies on outdated procedures and archaic laws to control the flow and production of Canadian products and “assets.”
In culling cases, the CFIA does not publicly disclose the commonly used methods of culling animals, in part because there is no standardized process. Thanks to a Freedom of Information request submitted by Animal Justice, we know that common methods of culling animals include gassing, shooting, and neck-breaking, but often times these methods are poorly executed and have led to more animal suffering. Some factory farms also practice “ventilation shutdown” — a process that generally entails turning up the heat, closing off the factory farm’s airflow, and slowly killing the trapped animals until they die from heat stress and lack of oxygen…
It’s not surprising that this case has garnered international attention. Most people don’t want to see animals suffer. Most people like animals. But most people are also selective in what animals they choose to love… This case is as much about government overreach as it is about society’s treatment of animals. Many critics called the culling of the ostriches cruel and inhumane. But the act of killing an innocent animal will always be cruel and inhumane no matter which animal or which method you choose to employ to kill. The act of killing in itself is a soulless and depraved act. Excusing it as ‘cultural’ or ‘natural’ or a necessity does not negate the fact that it is still an act of violence.
When you take the life of an animal you are changed forever. When you witness the killing of an animal, it also changes you. We may be distantly aware of the realities of animal agriculture, but when the rotting carcass is wrapped in plastic, it’s easier to avoid thinking about it altogether. The psychology of cognitive dissonance is what allows us to continue justifying mass murder. On Thursday November 6, the ostriches were corralled into a hay-bale pen after which “professional marksmen” indiscriminately killed the flock over the course of several hours. Shots rang out while supporters of the Farm listened on, horrified and traumatized…
Extending compassion to our fellow man does not end at humans, it includes all living beings, including non-human animals — including the ostriches who did not pose any health risk, and including the pigs and cows and chickens that are sent to the slaughter in the billions… We all have it in us to know what is right, but through culture, norms, peer pressure and thousands of years of exploitation, we continue to participate in what is a modern day holocaust…
Billions of animals are slaughtered every day for our temporary taste pleasure. Many others are used in experimental research and animal testing. Companion animals are abused at home under the care of those who should be protecting them. Other animals are needlessly hunted. And then there are all the other living beings we kill by stealing their food sources and destroying their habitats.
Every single one of these animals is deserving of compassion, dignity, and protection from exploitation. If there is anything that can be learned from this tragic case, it’s that it gives us the opportunity to reflect on why we treat some animals as inherently valuable and worthy of life while actively exploiting and consuming others. It’s a conversation long overdue. SOURCE…
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