petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--Animal Agriculture Increases the Risk of Pandemics

Three out of every four emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals and are in part caused by our reliance on animal agriculture—the farming of animals for food , clothing , and other purposes.1 These types of pathogens are zoonotic , meaning that they form in animals and can be transmitted to humans .
The majority of diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics in recent years are zoonotic , including AIDS , avian flu , swine flu , SARS , MERS , Ebola , Zika , and COVID-19.2 In light of this , expert bodies like the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO ) of the United Nations , and the World Organisation for Animal Health ( OIE ) have long predicted that as long as humans continue to rely on animals for food and profit , pandemics are inevitable.3 How Are Zoonotic Diseases Spread to Humans ?
Zoonotic diseases can be spread to humans who have direct or indirect contact with animals or animal “ products.
” Direct contact can occur when someone touches or is bitten or scratched by an animal .
Indirect contact can occur when someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals live , including their enclosure or feeding area .
Zoonotic diseases can also be vector-borne , waterborne , and foodborne .
Vector-borne zoonotic diseases may be contracted by humans who are bitten by a tick or an insect who has recently fed on a contaminated animal .
Waterborne zoonotic diseases spread to humans who come into contact with or drink water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected animal .
Foodborne zoonotic diseases spread to humans who touch or consume foods derived from a contaminated animal , such as meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Animals for Profit Creates Hotspots for Zoonotic Diseases By breeding and raising animals , we are creating hotspots for zoonotic diseases .
Ninety percent of the world ’ s meat supply4 comes from factory farms , and that figure is 99 % in the U.S.5 On these farms , cows , pigs , chickens , and other animals are bred and raised by the thousands in cramped and unsanitary conditions , often surrounded by their own waste and deprived of fresh air and sunlight .
These conditions cause animals extreme stress and anxiety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pathogens .
Selective breeding and the common use of antibiotics also contribute to the disease risk .
On today ’ s large-scale farms , animals are selectively bred for profitable traits ( think larger breasts , faster egg production , etc. )
.
This results in a loss of genetic diversity among a population of animals .
For viruses and bacteria , this is an ideal situation , as pathogens can quickly jump from individual to individual without meeting genetic variants that might slow them down.6 Within a matter of days , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make matters worse , because farmers frequently administer antibiotics to the animals in order to promote quick growth , many of them develop antibiotic resistance , making it even more difficult to treat or prevent the spread of infection.7 Furthermore , consuming foods derived from antibiotic-resistant animals can have a devastating impact on .
This lethal mix of zoonotic disease and antibiotic resistance has prompted expert groups to recognize animal health as “ the weakest link in our global health chain ” —because once animals get sick , humans are usually quick to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most at-risk groups for contracting zoonotic diseases .
They routinely come into contact with animal feces , urine , and blood , making animal-to-human disease transmission highly likely .
The H1N1 swine flu strain that infected millions of people and killed over 18,000 in the 2009 pandemic is thought to have first infected pigs on factory farms , where it was transmitted to farmworkers who eventually spread it to members of the public.9 Farm and slaughterhouse employees are also at high risk of human-to-human disease transmission owing to the unhygienic and cramped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers typically stand shoulder to shoulder at assembly lines , making it impossible to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic .
As a result , by the end of June 2020 over 27,000 slaughterhouse workers across the U.S. had contracted the disease and several had died.10 Nearly all the U.S. meat industry giants , including Tyson , Smithfield Foods , and JBS USA , reported outbreaks at their facilities.11 Many of these workers are not paid a living wage , and some are undocumented immigrants with limited employment opportunities.12 Not only do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a safe and sanitary working environment , many also neglect to offer fully paid sick leave , leaving already vulnerable workers further marginalized .
The health impacts of animal agriculture extend far beyond its workers .
Outbreaks that originate in animals used for food can spread to the general public in two ways : consumption of an infected animal and contact with infected farmworkers .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) estimates that one in six Americans gets sick each year from eating contaminated food , including meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals and fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated with feces from infected animals.13 Common foodborne pathogens include salmonella , campylobacter , yersinia , E. coli , and listeria.14 Zoonotic diseases can also spread from farms to the public through human-to-human transmission via an infected farmworker .
Communities that have a large population working in animal agriculture are therefore more at risk of experiencing an outbreak .
One study found that when factory-farm workers or others working with animals comprised between 15 % and 45 % of a community , human influenza cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 86 % .15 Once one community is infected , if the virus is contagious enough , the outbreak can keep expanding , eventually causing a full-blown pandemic .
The highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1 , for example , is thought to have originated at poultry farms in Hong Kong in 1997.16 Despite various efforts to contain the outbreak , the disease quickly spread throughout domesticated poultry in most of Southeast and East Asia , resulting in hundreds of confirmed human cases and deaths .
Various different strains of avian flu have emerged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have found that almost all of them originated in commercial poultry production systems.17 As previously mentioned , all strains of swine flu have originated in animal agriculture .
In fact , every influenza strain in history has originated in animals , including the H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 pandemic that killed over 50 million people worldwide.18 Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases can occur anywhere .
A study found that the majority of avian flu outbreaks in recent years have occurred in high-income countries.19 Notably , it concluded that the U.S. , Europe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avian flu than China has .
This makes sense , as Western nations rely particularly heavily on factory farming for their meat supply.20 Although the origins of most pandemics are debated , it is widely believed that the 1918 influenza outbreak referred to as “ Spanish flu ” —the deadliest pandemic in recent history—actually developed not in Spain but on U.S. farms.21 Foodborne illnesses are also prevalent in the U.S .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that 15 % of raw meat ( including chicken , turkey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country is contaminated with Salmonella enterica or Salmonella typhimurium , potentially deadly bacteria that cause serious gastrointestinal issues .
As a result , there are over 1 million salmonella infections , thousands of hospitalizations , and hundreds of deaths in the U.S. every year.21 These examples highlight that neither the quality of a country ’ s infrastructure nor the stringency of its farm regulations can eliminate the risk of zoonotic diseases .
Pathogens will continue to emerge and reemerge where animal agriculture persists , eventually leading to yet another devastating pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Disease Pandemics One of the most effective ways to decrease the risk of pandemics is to prevent pathogens from emerging in the first place by moving away from animal agriculture .
Companies investing in vegan food and cutting ties with animal agriculture would easily spare millions of animal and human lives .
Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic show that we have a collective responsibility to mitigate public health risks .
Being vegan should therefore be viewed not as a personal choice but as a duty to our global community .
1 CDC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
2 Leslie A. Reperant and Albert D.M.E .
Osterhaus , “ AIDS , Avian Flu , SARS , MERS , Ebola , Zika… What Next ?
” Vaccine , 35.35 ( 2017 ) : 4470–4474 .
3WHO , FAO , OIE , and the Health Council of the Netherlands , “ Report of the WHO/FAO/OIE Joint Consultation on Emerging Zoonotic Diseases , ” 3–5 May 2004 .
4Kelly Anthis , “ Global Farmed & Factory Farmed Animals Estimates , ” Sentience Institute , 21 Feb. 2019 .
5 Jacy Reese Anthis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sentience Institute , 11 Apr .
2019 .
6 Sigal Samuel , “ The Meat We Eat Is a Pandemic Risk , Too , ” Vox , 10 June 2020 .
7 Emanuel Goldman , “ Antibiotic Abuse in Animal Agriculture : Exacerbating Drug Resistance in Human Pathogens , ” Human and Ecological Risk Assessment , 10.1 ( 2004 ) : 121–134 .
8FAO , “ World Livestock 2013 : Changing Disease Landscapes , ” 2013 .
9Charles W. Schmidt , “ Swine CAFOs & Novel H1N1 Flu : Separating Facts From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 117.9 ( 2009 ) : A394–A401 .
10Leah Douglas , “ Covid-19 Shows No Sign of Slowing Among Food-System Workers , ” Food & Environment Reporting Network , 22 June 2020 .
11Kate Taylor , “ A Lawsuit Alleges Slaughterhouse Employees Weren ’ t Given Time to Wash Hands or Wipe Their Noses , as More Than 1,800 Workers at Meat Plants Across America Catch COVID-19 , ” Business Insider , 24 Apr .
2020 .
12William Roberts , “ Workers in Iowa Meat Industry Fear Returning to Processing Plants , ” Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Zoonotic Diseases.
” 14European Food Safety Authority , “ Foodborne Zoonotic Diseases , ” 4 Feb. 2020 .
15Roberto A. Saenz , Herbert W. Hethcote , and Gregory C. Gray .
“ Confined Animal Feeding Operations as Amplifiers of Influenza , ” Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases , 6.4 ( 2006 ) : 338–346 .
16M .
Peiris and H.-L .
Yen , “ Animal and Human Influenzas , ” Revue scientifique et technique ( International Office of Epizootics ) , 33.2 ( 2014 ) : 539–553 .
17Madhur S. Dhingra et @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Emergences of Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza ( HPAI ) H5 and H7 Viruses in Poultry , ” Frontiers in Veterinary Science , 5 ( 2018 ) : 84 .
18CDC .
“ 1918 Pandemic , ” 20 Mar .
2019 .
19Dhingra et al .
20Reese Anthis .
21John M. Barry , “ The Site of Origin of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic and Its Public Health Implications , ” Journal of Translational Medicine , 2.1 ( 2004 ) : 3 .
22CDC , “ Salmonella , ” 25 Mar .
@ @

Three out of every four emerging infectious diseases in humans originate in animals and are in part caused by our reliance on animal agriculture—the farming of animals for food, clothing, and other purposes.1 These types of pathogens are zoonotic, meaning that they form in animals and can be transmitted to humans. The majority of diseases that have caused epidemics or pandemics in recent years are zoonotic, including AIDS, avian flu, swine flu, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Zika, and COVID-19.2 In light of this, expert bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) have long predicted that as long as humans continue to rely on animals for food and profit, pandemics are inevitable.3
© Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals
How Are Zoonotic Diseases Spread to Humans?
Zoonotic diseases can be spread to humans who have direct or indirect contact with animals or animal “products.” Direct contact can occur when someone touches or is bitten or scratched by an animal. Indirect contact can occur when someone comes into contact with an area where animals live, including their enclosure or feeding area. Zoonotic diseases can also be vector-borne, waterborne, and foodborne. Vector-borne zoonotic diseases may be contracted by humans who are bitten by a tick or an insect who has recently fed on a contaminated animal. Waterborne zoonotic diseases spread to humans who come into contact with or drink water that has been contaminated with feces from an infected animal. Foodborne zoonotic diseases spread to humans who touch or consume foods derived from a contaminated animal, such as meat, eggs, or dairy.
Using Animals for Profit Creates Hotspots for Zoonotic Diseases
By breeding and raising animals, we are creating hotspots for zoonotic diseases. Ninety percent of the world’s meat supply4 comes from factory farms, and that figure is 99% in the U.S.5 On these farms, cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals are bred and raised by the thousands in cramped and unsanitary conditions, often surrounded by their own waste and deprived of fresh air and sunlight. These conditions cause animals extreme stress and anxiety and create the perfect breeding ground for pathogens.
Selective breeding and the common use of antibiotics also contribute to the disease risk. On today’s large-scale farms, animals are selectively bred for profitable traits (think larger breasts, faster egg production, etc.). This results in a loss of genetic diversity among a population of animals. For viruses and bacteria, this is an ideal situation, as pathogens can quickly jump from individual to individual without meeting genetic variants that might slow them down.6 Within a matter of days, an entire population could be infected. To make matters worse, because farmers frequently administer antibiotics to the animals in order to promote quick growth, many of them develop antibiotic resistance, making it even more difficult to treat or prevent the spread of infection.7 Furthermore, consuming foods derived from antibiotic-resistant animals can have a devastating impact on human health. This lethal mix of zoonotic disease and antibiotic resistance has prompted expert groups to recognize animal health as “the weakest link in our global health chain”—because once animals get sick, humans are usually quick to follow.8
© iStock.com/takobchaiprakobkit
Health Impacts on Farm and Slaughterhouse Workers
Farm and slaughterhouse workers are among the most at-risk groups for contracting zoonotic diseases. They routinely come into contact with animal feces, urine, and blood, making animal-to-human disease transmission highly likely. The H1N1 swine flu strain that infected millions of people and killed over 18,000 in the 2009 pandemic is thought to have first infected pigs on factory farms, where it was transmitted to farmworkers who eventually spread it to members of the public.9
Farm and slaughterhouse employees are also at high risk of human-to-human disease transmission owing to the unhygienic and cramped conditions in which they work. Slaughterhouse workers typically stand shoulder to shoulder at assembly lines, making it impossible to maintain social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, by the end of June 2020 over 27,000 slaughterhouse workers across the U.S. had contracted the disease and several had died.10 Nearly all the U.S. meat industry giants, including Tyson, Smithfield Foods, and JBS USA, reported outbreaks at their facilities.11 Many of these workers are not paid a living wage, and some are undocumented immigrants with limited employment opportunities.12 Not only do meat companies fail to provide their workers with a safe and sanitary working environment, many also neglect to offer fully paid sick leave, leaving already vulnerable workers further marginalized.
© Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals
Health Impacts on the Public
The health impacts of animal agriculture extend far beyond its workers. Outbreaks that originate in animals used for food can spread to the general public in two ways: consumption of an infected animal and contact with infected farmworkers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in six Americans gets sick each year from eating contaminated food, including meat, eggs, and dairy from sick animals and fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated with feces from infected animals.13 Common foodborne pathogens include salmonella, campylobacter, yersinia, E. coli, and listeria.14
Zoonotic diseases can also spread from farms to the public through human-to-human transmission via an infected farmworker. Communities that have a large population working in animal agriculture are therefore more at risk of experiencing an outbreak. One study found that when factory-farm workers or others working with animals comprised between 15% and 45% of a community, human influenza cases increased by a whopping 42% to 86%.15
Once one community is infected, if the virus is contagious enough, the outbreak can keep expanding, eventually causing a full-blown pandemic. The highly pathogenic avian influenza strain H5N1, for example, is thought to have originated at poultry farms in Hong Kong in 1997.16 Despite various efforts to contain the outbreak, the disease quickly spread throughout domesticated poultry in most of Southeast and East Asia, resulting in hundreds of confirmed human cases and deaths. Various different strains of avian flu have emerged and reemerged since then, and scientists have found that almost all of them originated in commercial poultry production systems.17 As previously mentioned, all strains of swine flu have originated in animal agriculture. In fact, every influenza strain in history has originated in animals, including the H1N1 virus that caused the 1918 pandemic that killed over 50 million people worldwide.18
© iStock.com/agnormark
This Is a Global Issue
Outbreaks of zoonotic diseases can occur anywhere. A study found that the majority of avian flu outbreaks in recent years have occurred in high-income countries.19 Notably, it concluded that the U.S., Europe, and Australia have generated more strains of avian flu than China has. This makes sense, as Western nations rely particularly heavily on factory farming for their meat supply.20 Although the origins of most pandemics are debated, it is widely believed that the 1918 influenza outbreak referred to as “Spanish flu”—the deadliest pandemic in recent history—actually developed not in Spain but on U.S. farms.21
Foodborne illnesses are also prevalent in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service reports that 15% of raw meat (including chicken, turkey, and ground beef) sold in the country is contaminated with Salmonella enterica or Salmonella typhimurium, potentially deadly bacteria that cause serious gastrointestinal issues. As a result, there are over 1 million salmonella infections, thousands of hospitalizations, and hundreds of deaths in the U.S. every year.21 These examples highlight that neither the quality of a country’s infrastructure nor the stringency of its farm regulations can eliminate the risk of zoonotic diseases. Pathogens will continue to emerge and reemerge where animal agriculture persists, eventually leading to yet another devastating pandemic.
© Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals
What You Can Do to Prevent Zoonotic Disease Pandemics
One of the most effective ways to decrease the risk of pandemics is to prevent pathogens from emerging in the first place by moving away from animal agriculture. Companies investing in vegan food and cutting ties with animal agriculture would easily spare millions of animal and human lives. Crises like the COVID-19 pandemic show that we have a collective responsibility to mitigate public health risks. Being vegan should therefore be viewed not as a personal choice but as a duty to our global community.
Learn More About Animal Agriculture and Antibiotic Resistance
References
1 CDC, “Zoonotic Diseases,” 14 July 2017.
2 Leslie A. Reperant and Albert D.M.E. Osterhaus, “AIDS, Avian Flu, SARS, MERS, Ebola, Zika… What Next?” Vaccine, 35.35 (2017): 4470–4474.
3WHO, FAO, OIE, and the Health Council of the Netherlands, “Report of the WHO/FAO/OIE Joint Consultation on Emerging Zoonotic Diseases,” 3–5 May 2004.
4Kelly Anthis, “Global Farmed & Factory Farmed Animals Estimates,” Sentience Institute, 21 Feb. 2019.
5 Jacy Reese Anthis, “US Factory Farming Estimates,” Sentience Institute, 11 Apr. 2019.
6 Sigal Samuel, “The Meat We Eat Is a Pandemic Risk, Too,” Vox, 10 June 2020.
7 Emanuel Goldman, “Antibiotic Abuse in Animal Agriculture: Exacerbating Drug Resistance in Human Pathogens,” Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 10.1 (2004): 121–134.
8FAO, “World Livestock 2013: Changing Disease Landscapes,” 2013.
9Charles W. Schmidt, “Swine CAFOs & Novel H1N1 Flu: Separating Facts From Fears,” Environmental Health Perspectives, 117.9 (2009): A394–A401.
10Leah Douglas, “Covid-19 Shows No Sign of Slowing Among Food-System Workers,” Food & Environment Reporting Network, 22 June 2020.
11Kate Taylor, “A Lawsuit Alleges Slaughterhouse Employees Weren’t Given Time to Wash Hands or Wipe Their Noses, as More Than 1,800 Workers at Meat Plants Across America Catch COVID-19,” Business Insider, 24 Apr. 2020.
12William Roberts, “Workers in Iowa Meat Industry Fear Returning to Processing Plants,” Al Jazeera, 8 May 2020.
13CDC, “Zoonotic Diseases.”
14European Food Safety Authority, “Foodborne Zoonotic Diseases,” 4 Feb. 2020.
15Roberto A. Saenz, Herbert W. Hethcote, and Gregory C. Gray. “Confined Animal Feeding Operations as Amplifiers of Influenza,” Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases, 6.4 (2006): 338–346.
16M. Peiris and H.-L. Yen, “Animal and Human Influenzas,” Revue scientifique et technique (International Office of Epizootics), 33.2 (2014): 539–553.
17Madhur S. Dhingra et al. “Geographical and Historical Patterns in the Emergences of Novel Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5 and H7 Viruses in Poultry,” Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 5 (2018): 84.
18CDC. “1918 Pandemic,” 20 Mar. 2019.
19Dhingra et al.
20Reese Anthis.
21John M. Barry, “The Site of Origin of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic and Its Public Health Implications,” Journal of Translational Medicine, 2.1 (2004): 3.
22CDC, “Salmonella,” 25 Mar. 2020.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--PETA U.K. and Local Groups Rush to Aid Animals in Beirut

Earlier this month , a devastating explosion hit Beirut .
Buildings collapsed , windows shattered , and humans and animals were separated from their loved ones in the aftermath .
In the wake of this tragedy , a PETA team member – – travelled to the city to assess the situation and help the dogs , cats , and other animals affected by the devastation .
PETA ’ s team member scoured the ruins for animals and found a young chicken whose hips had been fractured during the explosion .
She rushed her to a vet , who is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll make a full recovery .
We ’ re working to find her a permanent home where she can live in peace .
We delivered crucial supplies of dog and cat food to families whose homes were damaged by the explosion – and to other volunteers who are feeding homeless animals .
This will help ensure that animal companions and other animals displaced by this catastrophe won ’ t go hungry .
PETA ’ s team member witnessed first-hand some of the life-saving work to help animals in desperate need being carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Animals Lebanon .
Support from PETA ’ s Global Compassion Fund helped that group quickly pull together a search-and-response team in order to rescue frightened animals from the rubble and reunite them with their guardians .
This critically important fund allows PETA and our affiliates to partner with effective local animal protection organisations around the world – powering everything from urgent rescue work by groups like Animals Lebanon to life-changing animal advocacy campaigns in areas where they ’ re needed most .
Animals in Crisis Need Your Help Please strengthen this vital work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world by making a much-needed gift to PETA ’ s Global Compassion Fund right now .

Earlier this month, a devastating explosion hit Beirut. Buildings collapsed, windows shattered, and humans and animals were separated from their loved ones in the aftermath.
In the wake of this tragedy, a PETA team member – supported by PETA’s Global Compassion Fund – travelled to the city to assess the situation and help the dogs, cats, and other animals affected by the devastation.
PETA’s team member scoured the ruins for animals and found a young chicken whose hips had been fractured during the explosion. She rushed her to a vet, who is now treating her and is confident she’ll make a full recovery. We’re working to find her a permanent home where she can live in peace.
We delivered crucial supplies of dog and cat food to families whose homes were damaged by the explosion – and to other volunteers who are feeding homeless animals. This will help ensure that animal companions and other animals displaced by this catastrophe won’t go hungry.
PETA’s team member witnessed first-hand some of the life-saving work to help animals in desperate need being carried out by volunteers and local groups – including Animals Lebanon. Support from PETA’s Global Compassion Fund helped that group quickly pull together a search-and-response team in order to rescue frightened animals from the rubble and reunite them with their guardians.
This critically important fund allows PETA and our affiliates to partner with effective local animal protection organisations around the world – powering everything from urgent rescue work by groups like Animals Lebanon to life-changing animal advocacy campaigns in areas where they’re needed most.
Animals in Crisis Need Your Help
Please strengthen this vital work for animals in Lebanon and around the world by making a much-needed gift to PETA’s Global Compassion Fund right now.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--PETA Commemorates Beloved Activist Shimon Shuchat (1998–2020)

Shimon Shuchat , who was beloved in the NYC animal rights community and known by activists nationwide despite his young age , died tragically on July 28 at only 22 .
It ’ s a devastating loss to the animal rights community and animals everywhere , and our hearts are heavy thinking about the life—much of which he spent protesting outside live-animal markets and wherever else chickens were slaughtered , hoping to persuade people to stop eating them—now lost .
“ Shimon longed to save chickens from the knife , and his loss leaves a gap that every one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t continue to die , ” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk .
“ PETA asks everyone to honor his kindness by speaking up if they witness cruelty to any animal and by buying vegan chicken for friends and family who haven ’ t yet made the switch.
” In memory of his activism , PETA and Brooklyn-Queens Animal Save rescued four hens from a New York City live-animal market , exchanging them for packages of vegan Gardein chicken and Beyond Sausage .
And PETA has also donated vegan chicken dinners to Hannah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kosher Food Shabbat Foundation , which serves the ultra-Orthodox community where Shimon grew up , and given free vegan chicken sandwiches and packages of frozen Gardein chicken to workers at a chicken slaughterhouse in Maryland in his name .
The meat industry crams chickens into filthy sheds by the thousands .
At slaughterhouses , workers cut their throats , often while they ’ re still conscious , and at live-animal markets , they ’ re stacked on top of each other in excrement-covered cages—conditions that allow pathogens like the novel coronavirus to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this violence and urged everyone to go vegan , knowing that each person who does so can spare nearly 200 animals horrific suffering and a violent death each year .
Shimon was a member of PETA and joined us at demonstrations throughout NYC over the years , and as you may have guessed , his support went above and beyond .
One fellow activist from Their Turn recalls this : “ One day , while running an errand , Shimon and I walked into Insomnia Cookie , which had just added a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I offered to buy him one , Shimon asked me to donate the amount of money I would have spent on the cookie to PETA .
Even after explaining that I could buy him a cookie AND make a contribution to PETA , I practically had to use force to get him to eat the cookie , which I knew that he secretly wanted.
” Even though Shimon was shy , he forced himself to step out of his comfort zone and helped others step out of theirs , too , for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Animal Holocaust Memorial Service/March ” through Times Square on Yom HaShoah ( Holocaust Remembrance Day ) when he was only 16—and pleaded with people in his ultra-Orthodox community to stop killing chickens for Kaporos ( an atonement ritual ) .
PETA urges everyone to commemorate Shimon ’ s life and work by making a bigger effort to demand an end to killing animals for food—as well as for experiments , clothing , and entertainment .
PETA is asking people to save chickens for Shimon : Go vegan—or if you already have , buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members who haven ’ t yet—and protest in his name .

Shimon Shuchat, who was beloved in the NYC animal rights community and known by activists nationwide despite his young age, died tragically on July 28 at only 22. It’s a devastating loss to the animal rights community and animals everywhere, and our hearts are heavy thinking about the life—much of which he spent protesting outside live-animal markets and wherever else chickens were slaughtered, hoping to persuade people to stop eating them—now lost.
“Shimon longed to save chickens from the knife, and his loss leaves a gap that every one of us must fill so that birds don’t continue to die,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA asks everyone to honor his kindness by speaking up if they witness cruelty to any animal and by buying vegan chicken for friends and family who haven’t yet made the switch.”
PETA President Ingrid Newkirk shares a few words of remembrance for Shimon Shuchat, an animal rights activist who was an… Posted by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on Sunday, August 16, 2020
In memory of his activism, PETA and Brooklyn-Queens Animal Save rescued four hens from a New York City live-animal market, exchanging them for packages of vegan Gardein chicken and Beyond Sausage. And PETA has also donated vegan chicken dinners to Hannah’s Kosher Pantry of the Hannah Kosher Food Shabbat Foundation, which serves the ultra-Orthodox community where Shimon grew up, and given free vegan chicken sandwiches and packages of frozen Gardein chicken to workers at a chicken slaughterhouse in Maryland in his name.
The meat industry crams chickens into filthy sheds by the thousands. At slaughterhouses, workers cut their throats, often while they’re still conscious, and at live-animal markets, they’re stacked on top of each other in excrement-covered cages—conditions that allow pathogens like the novel coronavirus to spread to humans. Shimon courageously stood up to this violence and urged everyone to go vegan, knowing that each person who does so can spare nearly 200 animals horrific suffering and a violent death each year.
© Miriam Chisholm
© Miriam Chisholm
Shimon was a member of PETA and joined us at demonstrations throughout NYC over the years, and as you may have guessed, his support went above and beyond. One fellow activist from Their Turn recalls this:
“One day, while running an errand, Shimon and I walked into Insomnia Cookie, which had just added a vegan cookie to its menu. When I offered to buy him one, Shimon asked me to donate the amount of money I would have spent on the cookie to PETA. Even after explaining that I could buy him a cookie AND make a contribution to PETA, I practically had to use force to get him to eat the cookie, which I knew that he secretly wanted.”
Even though Shimon was shy, he forced himself to step out of his comfort zone and helped others step out of theirs, too, for the sake of animals, organizing an “Animal Holocaust Memorial Service/March” through Times Square on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) when he was only 16—and pleaded with people in his ultra-Orthodox community to stop killing chickens for Kaporos (an atonement ritual).
PETA urges everyone to commemorate Shimon’s life and work by making a bigger effort to demand an end to killing animals for food—as well as for experiments, clothing, and entertainment. PETA is asking people to save chickens for Shimon: Go vegan—or if you already have, buy vegan chicken for your friends or family members who haven’t yet—and protest in his name.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--Urgent From PETA: Cruel—and Criminal—to Leave Dogs in Hot Cars

Rawlins , Wyo .
– Following recent reports that a dog was left inside a hot , stolen car in Rawlins , PETA is issuing an urgent warning about the importance of never leaving animals in hot vehicles .
Twenty-five animals have already died this year from heat-related causes , and because COVID-19 is prolonging store wait times and errands , PETA is concerned that this summer could see an unprecedented number of hot weather–related animal deaths .
PETA has released a hot-car public service announcement featuring Mckenna Grace .
For more information , visit PETA.org .
On a 78-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes , and on a 90-degree day , the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes .
Dogs , who don ’ t sweat and can cool themselves only by panting , can rapidly succumb to heatstroke , even if a vehicle is parked in the shade with the windows slightly open , which has little to no effect on lowering the temperature inside .
Anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may be prosecuted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help keep animal companions safe in hot weather : • Keep animals indoors , and leave them at home when it ’ s hot outside .
Unlike humans , dogs can sweat only through their footpads and cool themselves by panting , so even brief sun exposure can have life-threatening consequences .
Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help should note their locations and alert authorities immediately .
• Never leave an animal inside a hot vehicle .
Temperatures can quickly soar in parked cars , and a dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes—even if the car is in the shade with the windows slightly open , which has little to no effect on lowering the temperature inside the car .
PETA offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for help with intervening in life-or-death situations .
• Avoid hot pavement .
When outdoor temperatures reach the 80s , asphalt temperatures can climb to 140 degrees , causing pain , burns , and permanent damage to dogs ’ paws after just a few minutes of contact .
Walk dogs on grass whenever possible , and avoid walking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run with dogs in hot weather—they ’ ll collapse before giving up , at which point , it may be too late to save them .

For Immediate Release:
August 14, 2020
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Rawlins, Wyo. – Following recent reports that a dog was left inside a hot, stolen car in Rawlins, PETA is issuing an urgent warning about the importance of never leaving animals in hot vehicles. Twenty-five animals have already died this year from heat-related causes, and because COVID-19 is prolonging store wait times and errands, PETA is concerned that this summer could see an unprecedented number of hot weather–related animal deaths.
PETA has released a hot-car public service announcement featuring Mckenna Grace. For more information, visit PETA.org.
On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to 100 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach as high as 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Dogs, who don’t sweat and can cool themselves only by panting, can rapidly succumb to heatstroke, even if a vehicle is parked in the shade with the windows slightly open, which has little to no effect on lowering the temperature inside.
Anyone who leaves animals outside to suffer in severe weather may be prosecuted for cruelty.
The following tips will help keep animal companions safe in hot weather:


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--Urgent From PETA: Wildfire Survival Tips for Animals

Larimer County , Colo. – Because the Cameron Peak fire is threatening areas in Larimer County and evacuations are underway , animals must be kept indoors and will die if abandoned .
This information will undoubtedly save many animals ’ lives and avoid much human remorse .
Residents in areas affected by smoke and falling ash should keep animals indoors and avoid all outdoor activities , such as running with dogs .
If visibility is less than 5 miles , smoke has compromised the air quality and reached unsafe levels .
Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and alert authorities immediately .
Trapped horses and other animals can ’ t outrun wildfires .
They should never be locked in their stalls or confined in any way , unable to flee .
PETA has released a wildfire-preparedness public service announcement featuring Dean Winters .
Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions in advance of trouble in order to avoid being caught unprepared .
PETA also offers a video about keeping animal companions safe during fires .
For more information , visit PETA.org .
Animals must never be left behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals to fend for themselves may be prosecuted .

For Immediate Release:
August 14, 2020
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Larimer County, Colo. – Because the Cameron Peak fire is threatening areas in Larimer County and evacuations are underway, animals must be kept indoors and will die if abandoned. This information will undoubtedly save many animals’ lives and avoid much human remorse.
Residents in areas affected by smoke and falling ash should keep animals indoors and avoid all outdoor activities, such as running with dogs. If visibility is less than 5 miles, smoke has compromised the air quality and reached unsafe levels. Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help, should note their locations and alert authorities immediately.
Trapped horses and other animals can’t outrun wildfires. They should never be locked in their stalls or confined in any way, unable to flee.
PETA has released a wildfire-preparedness public service announcement featuring Dean Winters. Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions in advance of trouble in order to avoid being caught unprepared. PETA also offers a video about keeping animal companions safe during fires. For more information, visit PETA.org.
Animals must never be left behind. Anyone who evacuates and intentionally abandons animals to fend for themselves may be prosecuted.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--Simon Cowell’s Back Injury Prompts Get-Well Gift From PETA India

Following a nasty cycling accident in which the long-time PETA supporter and Britain ’ s Got Talent judge broke his back , Simon Cowell has received a unique get-well gift from PETA India : a bull recovering from a back injury sustained in a motorbike accident has been named after him .
Simon , an extremely handsome Indian bull , was hurt in the freak accident when a rope tether around his neck – used to compel him to pull a heavy cart in the hot sun – got wrapped around a motorbike .
Panicked , he ran , causing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the road for almost 300 metres , until someone in the crowd caught hold of him .
After being rescued and treated , he ’ s spending his days relaxing in the company of fellow rescued bulls at a sanctuary in Maharashtra , India .
Simon Cowell is a true friend to animals and PETA .
He has spoken out against the cruel fur trade and urged people never to leave dogs in hot cars : Simon is kind to all animals , so he keeps them off his plate .
Here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits of going vegan : “ If I was on a one to ten scale of being handsome , I was an eight [ before ] and now I ’ ve gone to an 11.
” We hope having a gentle bull on a parallel track to recovery named after him will lift Simon ’ s spirits as he gets back to normal , too .
The easiest thing we can do to show compassion to animals is to stop eating them .
Start today : take PETA ’ s 30-day vegan pledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your transition to a kinder , healthier lifestyle :

Following a nasty cycling accident in which the long-time PETA supporter and Britain’s Got Talent judge broke his back, Simon Cowell has received a unique get-well gift from PETA India: a bull recovering from a back injury sustained in a motorbike accident has been named after him.
Simon, an extremely handsome Indian bull, was hurt in the freak accident when a rope tether around his neck – used to compel him to pull a heavy cart in the hot sun – got wrapped around a motorbike. Panicked, he ran, causing the motorbike to career alongside him down the road for almost 300 metres, until someone in the crowd caught hold of him. After being rescued and treated, he’s spending his days relaxing in the company of fellow rescued bulls at a sanctuary in Maharashtra, India.
Simon Cowell is a true friend to animals and PETA.
He has spoken out against the cruel fur trade and urged people never to leave dogs in hot cars:
We hope having a gentle bull on a parallel track to recovery named after him will lift Simon’s spirits as he gets back to normal, too.
Want to Help Animals?
One of the easiest things we can do to show compassion to animals is to stop eating them. Start today: take PETA’s 30-day vegan pledge and we’ll guide you through your transition to a kinder, healthier lifestyle:


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-14--Simon Cowell’s Unique Get-Well Gift? A Bull Who’s Also Recovering From a Bike Accident

New York – Following a nasty cycling accident in which Simon Cowell broke his back , the longtime PETA supporter and America ’ s Got Talent judge has received a unique get-well gift from PETA India : a bull !
Now named Simon , the extremely handsome Brahma bull is also recovering from a back injury , which he sustained when the rope around his neck became entangled in a motorbike and both went skidding down the road .
Simon the bull panicked when the accident occurred and ran , causing the motorbike to careen alongside him down the road @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of him .
After being rescued and treated , he ’ s now spending his days relaxing in the company of fellow rescued bulls at a sanctuary ( above ) .
“ Simon Cowell is a true friend to animals and to PETA who has spoken out against the cruel fur industry , has urged people never to leave dogs in hot cars , champions a vegan lifestyle , and more , ” says PETA India founder Ingrid Newkirk .
“ PETA hopes having a gentle bull on a parallel track to recovery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he gets back to normal , too.
” High-resolution images can be downloaded here .
PETA ’ s motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way.
” For more information , please visit PETA.org .

PETA India Names Rescued Bull Recuperating From a Back Injury After Animal-Loving Music Mogul
For Immediate Release:
August 14, 2020
Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382
New York – Following a nasty cycling accident in which Simon Cowell broke his back, the longtime PETA supporter and America’s Got Talent judge has received a unique get-well gift from PETA India: a bull! Now named Simon, the extremely handsome Brahma bull is also recovering from a back injury, which he sustained when the rope around his neck became entangled in a motorbike and both went skidding down the road.
Simon the bull panicked when the accident occurred and ran, causing the motorbike to careen alongside him down the road until someone in the street caught hold of him. After being rescued and treated, he’s now spending his days relaxing in the company of fellow rescued bulls at a sanctuary (above).
“Simon Cowell is a true friend to animals and to PETA who has spoken out against the cruel fur industry, has urged people never to leave dogs in hot cars, champions a vegan lifestyle, and more,” says PETA India founder Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA hopes having a gentle bull on a parallel track to recovery named after him will lift his spirits as he gets back to normal, too.”
High-resolution images can be downloaded here. PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way.” For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--PETA Releases OHSU Video of Monkey ‘Junk Food’ Tests Following Lawsuit

Footage Shows Tests Designed to Intimidate , Frighten Young Monkeys ; PETA Calls For Closure of Violation-Prone Primate Lab Portland , Ore. – Today , PETA released disturbing excerpts from the 74 videos it had received after prevailing in its open records lawsuit against Oregon Health & Science University ( OHSU ) .
The taxpayer-funded experiments on threatened Japanese macaques , also called “ snow monkeys , ” took place at the OHSU-administered Oregon National Primate Research Center ( ONPRC ) in the laboratory of Elinor Sullivan , who received $ 5.2 million in taxpayer money between 2011 and 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to OHSU President Danny Jacobs , PETA also called for an end to all experiments on monkeys and the closure of the primate center , which has a long history of animal welfare violations .
The video shows some of Sullivan ’ s “ junk food ” experiments , which involved impregnating monkeys and feeding some of them high-fat food .
The babies were separated from their mothers or friends , placed in an unfamiliar room , and locked inside a small , barren cage , where they were deliberately frightened in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experimenters threatened the terrified , traumatized animals by staring at them—which they see as an aggressive act .
Experimenters killed most—if not all—of the young monkeys when they were just 13 months old .
PETA filed a lawsuit against OHSU last year after the school denied the group ’ s request for the footage pursuant to Oregon ’ s Public Records Law .
“ It ’ s easy to see why OHSU tried so hard to hide these cruel , pointless ‘ junk food ’ experiments , ” says PETA Vice President Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sensitive monkeys must stop now.
” The ONPRC—which receives tens of millions in taxpayer money every year and currently holds more than 6,000 monkeys—has a long history of violating animal protection laws and guidelines .
Monkeys have been burned when left unattended on heating pads , subjected to painful procedures that weren ’ t approved , and denied pain medication after major surgeries .
Monkeys given the wrong dose of insulin had to be euthanized , as did another who became entangled in PVC pipes .
One monkey died while trapped behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was missing .
Other experiments at the facility have included forcing animals to eat lard and addicting them to nicotine and alcohol .
PETA previously obtained footage from OHSU of a publicly funded experiment that Sullivan helped to coordinate in which young monkeys were deliberately frightened with a Mr .
Potato Head toy .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to experiment on ” —opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
The group ’ s letter to Jacobs is available upon request .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here .

Footage Shows Tests Designed to Intimidate, Frighten Young Monkeys; PETA Calls For Closure of Violation-Prone Primate Lab
For Immediate Release:
August 17, 2020
Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382
Portland, Ore. – Today, PETA released disturbing excerpts from the 74 videos it had received after prevailing in its open records lawsuit against Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). The taxpayer-funded experiments on threatened Japanese macaques, also called “snow monkeys,” took place at the OHSU-administered Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) in the laboratory of Elinor Sullivan, who received $5.2 million in taxpayer money between 2011 and 2019 alone.
In a letter sent today to OHSU President Danny Jacobs, PETA also called for an end to all experiments on monkeys and the closure of the primate center, which has a long history of animal welfare violations.
The video shows some of Sullivan’s “junk food” experiments, which involved impregnating monkeys and feeding some of them high-fat food. The babies were separated from their mothers or friends, placed in an unfamiliar room, and locked inside a small, barren cage, where they were deliberately frightened in “human intruder tests,” in which experimenters threatened the terrified, traumatized animals by staring at them—which they see as an aggressive act. Experimenters killed most—if not all—of the young monkeys when they were just 13 months old.
PETA filed a lawsuit against OHSU last year after the school denied the group’s request for the footage pursuant to Oregon’s Public Records Law.
“It’s easy to see why OHSU tried so hard to hide these cruel, pointless ‘junk food’ experiments,” says PETA Vice President Dr. Alka Chandna. “This indefensible abuse of sensitive monkeys must stop now.”
The ONPRC—which receives tens of millions in taxpayer money every year and currently holds more than 6,000 monkeys—has a long history of violating animal protection laws and guidelines. Monkeys have been burned when left unattended on heating pads, subjected to painful procedures that weren’t approved, and denied pain medication after major surgeries. Monkeys given the wrong dose of insulin had to be euthanized, as did another who became entangled in PVC pipes. One monkey died while trapped behind a cage because no one noticed that he was missing.
Other experiments at the facility have included forcing animals to eat lard and addicting them to nicotine and alcohol. PETA previously obtained footage from OHSU of a publicly funded experiment that Sullivan helped to coordinate in which young monkeys were deliberately frightened with a Mr. Potato Head toy.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. The group’s letter to Jacobs is available upon request. For more information, please visit PETA.org or click here.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--Urgent From PETA: Wildfire Survival Tips for Animals

Spokane County , Wash. – Because four wildfires are threatening areas in Spokane County and evacuations are underway , animals @ @ @ @ @ will die if abandoned .
Residents in areas affected by smoke and falling ash should @ @ @ @ @ all outdoor activities , such as running with dogs .
If visibility is less than @ @ @ @ @ compromised the air quality and reached unsafe levels .
Anyone who sees animals in distress @ @ @ @ @ , should note their locations and alert authorities immediately .
Trapped horses and other animals @ @ @ @ @ .
They should never be locked in their stalls or confined in any way , @ @ @ @ @ has released a wildfire-preparedness public service announcement featuring Dean Winters .
Make plans to ensure @ @ @ @ @ in advance of trouble in order to avoid being caught unprepared .
PETA also offers @ @ @ @ @ companions safe during fires .
For more information , visit PETA.org .
Animals must never @ @ @ @ @ who evacuates and intentionally abandons animals to fend for themselves may be prosecuted .

For Immediate Release:
August 17, 2020
Contact:
Brooke Rossi 202-483-7382
Spokane County, Wash. – Because four wildfires are threatening areas in Spokane County and evacuations are underway, animals must be kept indoors and will die if abandoned.
Residents in areas affected by smoke and falling ash should keep animals indoors and avoid all outdoor activities, such as running with dogs. If visibility is less than 5 miles, smoke has compromised the air quality and reached unsafe levels. Anyone who sees animals in distress and is unable to help, should note their locations and alert authorities immediately.
Trapped horses and other animals can’t outrun wildfires. They should never be locked in their stalls or confined in any way, unable to flee.
PETA has released a wildfire-preparedness public service announcement featuring Dean Winters. Make plans to ensure the safety of animal companions in advance of trouble in order to avoid being caught unprepared. PETA also offers a video about keeping animal companions safe during fires. For more information, visit PETA.org.
Animals must never be left behind. Anyone who evacuates and intentionally abandons animals to fend for themselves may be prosecuted.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--Criminal Probe Sought: Workers Ignored Conscious Pig Whose Throat Was Cut

Wright County , Iowa – PETA has obtained a U.S. Department of Agriculture report revealing a recent violation of law at Prestage Foods of Iowa outside Eagle Grove .
In response , we sent a letter this morning calling on Wright County Attorney Eric Simonson to review the matter and , as appropriate , file criminal cruelty-to-animals charges against the facility and the workers who apparently ignored a federal inspector ’ s repeated requests on July 28 that they stun a conscious pig who was kicking and struggling after his or her throat had been cut while hoisted in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slaughter line and went to find someone to stun the pig , the animal was apparently put through a machine that scraped off his or her hair while still conscious .
“ This disturbing report shows that this animal experienced a prolonged , agonizing death at Prestage Foods of Iowa , ” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch .
“ PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of the pig who suffered at this facility and urging all compassionate members of the public who are disturbed by this cruelty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from suffering in slaughterhouses.
” PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to eat ” —opposes speciesism , which is a human-supremacist worldview .
The group notes that pigs , sheep , cattle , chickens , and other animals feel pain and fear and value their lives , just as humans do , and that the only way to help prevent them from suffering in slaughterhouses is not to eat them .
I hope this letter finds you well .
I would like to request that your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enforcement agency , as you deem appropriate ) investigate and file suitable criminal charges against Prestage Foods of Iowa and the worker ( s ) responsible for allowing a hoisted pig whose throat had been cut to regain consciousness and apparently be conveyed through a device that scraped off the pig ’ s hair on July 28 at its slaughterhouse located at 3183 Hwy .
17 outside of Eagle Grove .
The U.S. Department of Agriculture ’ s Food Safety and Inspection Service ( FSIS ) documented the incident in the attached report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IPP [ FSIS Inspection Program Personnel ] noticed a market hog kicking at the distant end of the bleed chain prior to … where the line goes into … the polisher .
The hog had passed through the carbon dioxide stunner , was past the stick station for bleeding and had not been captive bolt stunned .
IPP observed the hog repeatedly blinking its eyes … .
The eyes were focused on IPP … .
The hog was rhythmically breathing and was moving all four legs … with controlled kicking and swimming movements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up towards its back/spine in a controlled manner and arching its back , as in a righting reflex .
As the conscious hog was approaching the polisher , IPP repeatedly called and motioned for the employee performing the stick to stop the line and get the captive bolt gun , since that is where the bleed chain line stop button is located .
The employee did not respond to the request and since the hog was reaching the polisher , IPP immediately and quickly proceeded to the stick station and stopped the line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be properly stunned .
… [ T ] he hog … continued to move its legs in a controlled manner , was breathing , and was still blinking its eyes .
Some time passed and when no one arrived to stun the hog IPP headed towards the barn .
IPP saw [ redacted ] and informed him of the conscious hog on the bleed chain line .
He then effectively rendered the hog unconscious with the hand-held captive bolt device .
When the hog was properly stunned , it was located between the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This conduct appears to violate Iowa Code § 717.2 ( 1 ) ( c ) .
Importantly , FSIS action does not preempt criminal liability under state law for slaughterhouse workers who perpetrate acts of cruelty to animals.2 Please let us know what we might do to assist you .
Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do .
2See Nat ’ l .
Meat Assoc .
v. Harris , 132 S. Ct. 965 , 974 n.10 ( 2012 ) ( “ .
.
.
States may exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other conduct that also violates the [ Federal Meat Inspection Act ( FMIA ) ] .
See [ 21 U.S.C . ]
§678 ; cf .
Bates v. Dow Agrosciences , LLC , 544 U.S. 431 , 447 ( 2005 ) ( holding that a preemption clause barring state laws ‘ in addition to or different ’ from a federal Act does not interfere with an ‘ equivalent ’ state provision ) .
Although the FMIA preempts much state law involving slaughterhouses , it thus leaves some room for the States to @ @ @ @

For Immediate Release:
August 17, 2020
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Wright County, Iowa – PETA has obtained a U.S. Department of Agriculture report revealing a recent violation of law at Prestage Foods of Iowa outside Eagle Grove. In response, we sent a letter this morning calling on Wright County Attorney Eric Simonson to review the matter and, as appropriate, file criminal cruelty-to-animals charges against the facility and the workers who apparently ignored a federal inspector’s repeated requests on July 28 that they stun a conscious pig who was kicking and struggling after his or her throat had been cut while hoisted in the air. After the inspector stopped the slaughter line and went to find someone to stun the pig, the animal was apparently put through a machine that scraped off his or her hair while still conscious.
“This disturbing report shows that this animal experienced a prolonged, agonizing death at Prestage Foods of Iowa,” says PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of the pig who suffered at this facility and urging all compassionate members of the public who are disturbed by this cruelty to go vegan and help prevent more animals from suffering in slaughterhouses.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. The group notes that pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens, and other animals feel pain and fear and value their lives, just as humans do, and that the only way to help prevent them from suffering in slaughterhouses is not to eat them.
For more information, visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to Simonson follows.
August 17, 2020
The Honorable Eric Simonson
Wright County Attorney
Dear Mr. Simonson,
I hope this letter finds you well. I would like to request that your office (and the proper local law enforcement agency, as you deem appropriate) investigate and file suitable criminal charges against Prestage Foods of Iowa and the worker(s) responsible for allowing a hoisted pig whose throat had been cut to regain consciousness and apparently be conveyed through a device that scraped off the pig’s hair on July 28 at its slaughterhouse located at 3183 Hwy. 17 outside of Eagle Grove. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in the attached report, which states the following:
“IPP [FSIS Inspection Program Personnel] noticed a market hog kicking at the distant end of the bleed chain prior to … where the line goes into … the polisher. The hog had passed through the carbon dioxide stunner, was past the stick station for bleeding and had not been captive bolt stunned. IPP observed the hog repeatedly blinking its eyes …. The eyes were focused on IPP …. The hog was rhythmically breathing and was moving all four legs … with controlled kicking and swimming movements. The hog was lifting its head up towards its back/spine in a controlled manner and arching its back, as in a righting reflex. As the conscious hog was approaching the polisher, IPP repeatedly called and motioned for the employee performing the stick to stop the line and get the captive bolt gun, since that is where the bleed chain line stop button is located. The employee did not respond to the request and since the hog was reaching the polisher, IPP immediately and quickly proceeded to the stick station and stopped the line. IPP then requested that the hog be properly stunned. … [T]he hog … continued to move its legs in a controlled manner, was breathing, and was still blinking its eyes. Some time passed and when no one arrived to stun the hog IPP headed towards the barn. IPP saw [redacted] and informed him of the conscious hog on the bleed chain line. He then effectively rendered the hog unconscious with the hand-held captive bolt device. When the hog was properly stunned, it was located between the polisher and the scald tank.”1
This conduct appears to violate Iowa Code § 717.2(1)(c). Importantly, FSIS action does not preempt criminal liability under state law for slaughterhouse workers who perpetrate acts of cruelty to animals.2
Please let us know what we might do to assist you. Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do.
Sincerely,
Colin Henstock
Assistant Manager of Investigations
1FSIS District 25 Manager Dr. Dawn Sprouls, Notice of Suspension, Prestage Foods of Iowa (Jul. 29, 2020) https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/d8db1cfa-350f-4cba-a591-7b3d12ce7c8a/prestagefoods-nos-07292020.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.
2See Nat’l. Meat Assoc. v. Harris, 132 S. Ct. 965, 974 n.10 (2012) (“. . . States may exact civil or criminal penalties for animal cruelty or other conduct that also violates the [Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA)]. See [21 U.S.C.] §678; cf. Bates v. Dow Agrosciences, LLC, 544 U.S. 431, 447 (2005) (holding that a preemption clause barring state laws ‘in addition to or different’ from a federal Act does not interfere with an ‘equivalent’ state provision). Although the FMIA preempts much state law involving slaughterhouses, it thus leaves some room for the States to regulate.”).


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--Dog Rescue at Golden Corral Prompts Call for Signs: ‘Hot Cars Kill!’

As Temperatures Soar , PETA Asks Restaurant Chain to Help by Informing Customers That Heatstroke Can Strike in Only Minutes Inside a Parked Vehicle Raleigh , N.C. – Today , PETA sent an urgent letter calling on Golden Corral to install signs in its parking lots alerting customers to the danger of leaving animals alone in a car .
The appeal follows news that police responded to a call about a dog left in a hot car outside a Golden Corral restaurant in Shelby , North Carolina , on August 7 .
The dog was panting heavily when police arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for at least 20 minutes before they tracked down the dog ’ s owner , who they cited for cruelty to animals .
“ On even a mild summer day , it takes only minutes for the temperature inside a parked car to climb to deadly heights , ” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk .
“ PETA is urging Golden Corral to join the numerous businesses that have posted parking lot signs reminding everyone that parked cars are death traps for dogs.
” Since 2019 , at least 78 animals have died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been reported .
Most aren ’ t .
Regency Centers and Phillips Edison & Company have responded to this crisis by posting warning signs in their parking lots .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way ” and which opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview—notes that this isn ’ t the first time that a dog was rescued from a car parked outside a Golden Corral restaurant .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .
PETA ’ s letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Golden Corral , follows .
I ’ m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ( PETA ) and our more than 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide after learning that a dog was recently discovered in danger of dying in a hot car while his or her owner dined for more than 20 minutes at a Golden Corral restaurant in Shelby , North Carolina .
Please , will you take prompt action to prevent additional potentially lethal mistakes by posting signs in your parking lots advising visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside unattended vehicles ?
Luckily , the individual above was rescued in time , but that is not and will not always be the case .
Since 2019 , at least 78 animals have died from heat-related causes .
This number includes only those incidents reported in the media—so the actual figure is clearly higher .
Already this year , 10 dogs and cats and 15 children have died in hot cars , and summer is far from over .
It doesn ’ t take long for parked vehicles to turn into deadly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the temperature inside a car can soar to 100 degrees in just a few minutes , and on a 90-degree day , the interior temperature can reach 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes .
Leaving the windows partially open or parking in the shade won ’ t keep vehicles cool enough to be safe .
Heatstroke , damage to organs ( including the brain ) , and death can occur extremely quickly , so it ’ s crucial that neither dogs nor children ever be left in parked cars—even for “ just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to heatstroke because they can ’ t sweat and can cool themselves only through panting .
Please watch this short video about these life-threatening dangers .
I am sure it will move you .
By posting warning signs in parking lots or on entry doors or stenciling on parking spaces , you can provide customers with a vital reminder that it takes only minutes for a dog or a child to die from heatstroke , while also encouraging passersby to keep a vigilant eye out for individuals left inside unattended vehicles .
Thank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to hearing from you .
Very truly yours ,

As Temperatures Soar, PETA Asks Restaurant Chain to Help by Informing Customers That Heatstroke Can Strike in Only Minutes Inside a Parked Vehicle
For Immediate Release:
August 17, 2020
Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, PETA sent an urgent letter calling on Golden Corral to install signs in its parking lots alerting customers to the danger of leaving animals alone in a car. The appeal follows news that police responded to a call about a dog left in a hot car outside a Golden Corral restaurant in Shelby, North Carolina, on August 7. The dog was panting heavily when police arrived and had reportedly been in the car for at least 20 minutes before they tracked down the dog’s owner, who they cited for cruelty to animals.
“On even a mild summer day, it takes only minutes for the temperature inside a parked car to climb to deadly heights,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “PETA is urging Golden Corral to join the numerous businesses that have posted parking lot signs reminding everyone that parked cars are death traps for dogs.”
Since 2019, at least 78 animals have died from heat-related causes—and those are only the deaths that have been reported. Most aren’t. Regency Centers and Phillips Edison & Company have responded to this crisis by posting warning signs in their parking lots.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way” and which opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview—notes that this isn’t the first time that a dog was rescued from a car parked outside a Golden Corral restaurant.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to Lance Trenary, president and CEO of Golden Corral, follows.
August 17, 2020
Lance Trenary
President and CEO
Golden Corral
Dear Mr. Trenary,
I’m writing on behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and our more than 6.5 million members and supporters worldwide after learning that a dog was recently discovered in danger of dying in a hot car while his or her owner dined for more than 20 minutes at a Golden Corral restaurant in Shelby, North Carolina. Please, will you take prompt action to prevent additional potentially lethal mistakes by posting signs in your parking lots advising visitors against leaving any living, feeling beings inside unattended vehicles? Luckily, the individual above was rescued in time, but that is not and will not always be the case.
Since 2019, at least 78 animals have died from heat-related causes. This number includes only those incidents reported in the media—so the actual figure is clearly higher. Already this year, 10 dogs and cats and 15 children have died in hot cars, and summer is far from over. It doesn’t take long for parked vehicles to turn into deadly ovens: On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a car can soar to 100 degrees in just a few minutes, and on a 90-degree day, the interior temperature can reach 109 degrees in less than 10 minutes. Leaving the windows partially open or parking in the shade won’t keep vehicles cool enough to be safe.
Heatstroke, damage to organs (including the brain), and death can occur extremely quickly, so it’s crucial that neither dogs nor children ever be left in parked cars—even for “just a minute.” Dogs are highly susceptible to heatstroke because they can’t sweat and can cool themselves only through panting. Please watch this short video about these life-threatening dangers. I am sure it will move you.
By posting warning signs in parking lots or on entry doors or stenciling on parking spaces, you can provide customers with a vital reminder that it takes only minutes for a dog or a child to die from heatstroke, while also encouraging passersby to keep a vigilant eye out for individuals left inside unattended vehicles. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.
Very truly yours,
Ingrid E. Newkirk
President


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--VIDEO: The Cruel Monkey Experiments ONPRC Didn’t Want You to See

This time the video is connected to the laboratory of Elinor Sullivan , whose experiments involve impregnating Japanese macaques , feeding some of the expectant mothers high-fat food , separating the babies from their mothers , and deliberately frightening the infants .
Experimenters kill most of—if not all—the young monkeys at 13 months old and study their brains .
The new videos show the human intruder test ( HIT ) .
Terrified young monkeys are removed from their “ home ” environment , which had included their mom and/or friends ; taken to a different room ; and placed alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cage .
Some of the young monkeys were so upset and traumatized by this sudden separation that they would desperately fling themselves about the cage .
Others remained nearly motionless , too terrified to move .
An experimenter then makes threatening gestures , such as prolonged eye contact , to determine whether the young monkeys can be intimidated .
The experiment is a kind of live-action version of the infamous Mr .
Potato Head experiment .
Aside from their obvious cruelty , Sullivan ’ s experiments are also so scientifically flawed that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ destroying monkeys ’ lives and wasting taxpayer dollars .
Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel , a primatologist who reviewed the recordings of Sullivan ’ s videos and research , believes the experiments introduce far too many unaccounted-for variables .
It is highly likely that the differences in temperament observed by Sullivan were produced not by the experimental dietary changes but simply by differences in how the monkeys were reared .
For macaque infants , their mothers ’ rank in the group has a significant and lifelong impact on their own socialization and temperament .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were raised in remarkably diverse social and rearing conditions .
These fundamental variables , Jones-Engel says , have “ profound implications ” that render Sullivan ’ s findings hopelessly confounded and useless .
But Sullivan continues to rake in the tax money , hand over fist , anyway .
The experimenter , who has been funded through the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) for nearly a decade , received a whopping $ 5.2 million in tax money for the years 2011 to 2019 alone .
Sullivan doesn ’ t just torment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same year she published an experiment in which the brains of monkey fetuses were removed and full-term baby monkeys were deliberately frightened with a Mr .
Potato Head toy , she published studies looking at the effect of exercise and diet on female adult monkeys .
In these studies , experimenters cut off the heads— ” quickly decapitated ” in euphemistic laboratory-speak—of 11 adult monkeys and removed their brains .
And in another , Sullivan and her colleagues forced monkeys to run on treadmills at increasing speeds until they collapsed from exhaustion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an experiment in which half the female monkeys ’ pregnancies ended in miscarriage because the animals , who thrive on a clearly delineated hierarchical structure , were thrown together as strangers , resulting in “ an unstable group environment.
” That same year , she published an experiment in which 7-month-old monkeys were killed by exsanguination , a laboratory euphemism meaning “ bleeding to death , ” and another in which 14-month-old monkeys were killed the same way .
We know Sullivan torments monkeys for profit .
But in an obvious marketing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her OHSU faculty page says that she enjoys “ gardening and playing with her dogs .
”

This time the video is connected to the laboratory of Elinor Sullivan, whose experiments involve impregnating Japanese macaques, feeding some of the expectant mothers high-fat food, separating the babies from their mothers, and deliberately frightening the infants. Experimenters kill most of—if not all—the young monkeys at 13 months old and study their brains.
The new videos show the human intruder test (HIT). Terrified young monkeys are removed from their “home” environment, which had included their mom and/or friends; taken to a different room; and placed alone in a small, barren, unfamiliar cage. Some of the young monkeys were so upset and traumatized by this sudden separation that they would desperately fling themselves about the cage. Others remained nearly motionless, too terrified to move.
Obtained through FOIA by PETA Obtained through FOIA by PETA
An experimenter then makes threatening gestures, such as prolonged eye contact, to determine whether the young monkeys can be intimidated. The experiment is a kind of live-action version of the infamous Mr. Potato Head experiment.
Aside from their obvious cruelty, Sullivan’s experiments are also so scientifically flawed that they are essentially meaningless, experts say, destroying monkeys’ lives and wasting taxpayer dollars.
Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel, a primatologist who reviewed the recordings of Sullivan’s videos and research, believes the experiments introduce far too many unaccounted-for variables. It is highly likely that the differences in temperament observed by Sullivan were produced not by the experimental dietary changes but simply by differences in how the monkeys were reared. For macaque infants, their mothers’ rank in the group has a significant and lifelong impact on their own socialization and temperament. The dozens of infant monkeys used by Sullivan were raised in remarkably diverse social and rearing conditions. These fundamental variables, Jones-Engel says, have “profound implications” that render Sullivan’s findings hopelessly confounded and useless.
But Sullivan continues to rake in the tax money, hand over fist, anyway. The experimenter, who has been funded through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for nearly a decade, received a whopping $5.2 million in tax money for the years 2011 to 2019 alone.
Sullivan doesn’t just torment infant monkeys. In 2010, the same year she published an experiment in which the brains of monkey fetuses were removed and full-term baby monkeys were deliberately frightened with a Mr. Potato Head toy, she published studies looking at the effect of exercise and diet on female adult monkeys. In these studies, experimenters cut off the heads—”quickly decapitated” in euphemistic laboratory-speak—of 11 adult monkeys and removed their brains. And in another, Sullivan and her colleagues forced monkeys to run on treadmills at increasing speeds until they collapsed from exhaustion.
In 2018, she published the results of an experiment in which half the female monkeys’ pregnancies ended in miscarriage because the animals, who thrive on a clearly delineated hierarchical structure, were thrown together as strangers, resulting in “an unstable group environment.”
That same year, she published an experiment in which 7-month-old monkeys were killed by exsanguination, a laboratory euphemism meaning “bleeding to death,” and another in which 14-month-old monkeys were killed the same way.
We know Sullivan torments monkeys for profit. But in an obvious marketing attempt to make her seem more relatable, her OHSU faculty page says that she enjoys “gardening and playing with her dogs.”


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--‘Tiger’ Will Roar Outside Jeff Lowe’s Court Hearing

Las Vegas – On Tuesday , a “ tiger ” will lead PETA supporters in an angry protest outside the court hearing for notorious animal exhibitor Jeff Lowe , operator of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park ( G.W .
Zoo ) in Oklahoma , over charges for possessing exotic animals and operating a business without a license .
The charges in Las Vegas come from a 2017 PETA complaint , which resulted in authorities raiding his home and seizing two big-cat cubs and a lemur .
Where : At the intersection of Lewis Avenue and S. Third Street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felon with a history of animal welfare citations , ” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet .
“ PETA will be outside the courthouse to make the point that his days of tormenting wild animals are numbered.
” This summer , the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited G.W .
Zoo for numerous failures to provide animals with adequate veterinary care , among other citations .
Recently , PETA released photographs and video footage from that inspection showing a “ lethargic , depressed , and thin ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffering from flystrike ( a condition in which flies , usually drawn to accumulated animal waste , bite animals and lay eggs on them and the hatched maggots eat away at their skin ) , and other wounds ; and the partially burned and decomposing carcass of a big cat , among other issues .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to use for entertainment ” —opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

PETA Protesters to Blast Tiger King Felon Over Suffering Animals, Snowballing Legal Woes
For Immediate Release:
August 17, 2020
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Las Vegas – On Tuesday, a “tiger” will lead PETA supporters in an angry protest outside the court hearing for notorious animal exhibitor Jeff Lowe, operator of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Zoo) in Oklahoma, over charges for possessing exotic animals and operating a business without a license. The charges in Las Vegas come from a 2017 PETA complaint, which resulted in authorities raiding his home and seizing two big-cat cubs and a lemur.
When: Tuesday, August 18, 8:30 a.m.
Where: At the intersection of Lewis Avenue and S. Third Street, Las Vegas
“Jeff Lowe is a felon with a history of animal welfare citations,” says PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet. “PETA will be outside the courthouse to make the point that his days of tormenting wild animals are numbered.”
This summer, the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited G.W. Zoo for numerous failures to provide animals with adequate veterinary care, among other citations. Recently, PETA released photographs and video footage from that inspection showing a “lethargic, depressed, and thin” young lion; big cats and wolves suffering from flystrike (a condition in which flies, usually drawn to accumulated animal waste, bite animals and lay eggs on them and the hatched maggots eat away at their skin), and other wounds; and the partially burned and decomposing carcass of a big cat, among other issues.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--Breaking: USDA Is Failing to Test Animal Flesh for Coronavirus

As if going to the grocery store during a pandemic weren ’ t stressful enough , certain food choices may be increasing your risk of catching COVID-19 .
Imported chicken from Brazil and packaging of imported shrimp from Ecuador , both contaminated with the novel coronavirus , have found their way into China .
As the world scrambles to deal with the danger of this deadly new pathogen , guess which country isn ’ t testing meat for it ?
Even though our country leads the world in coronavirus cases and deaths and there have been report after report of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) is failing to take the pandemic seriously ( yet again ) by not testing meat for the virus .
The U.S. imports billions of pounds of meat per year , including from Latin American countries that have reported similar COVID-19 outbreaks in slaughterhouses .
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine ( PCRM ) filed a lawsuit against the USDA after authorities rejected a petition that requested new requirements to test meat for the novel coronavirus as well as labels to warn shoppers that meat could carry it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ courts to mandate coronavirus testing in slaughterhouses and to make those findings publicly available .
Our country ’ s lack of testing meat for the virus affects not only Americans but also the entire rest of the planet .
The U.S. is one of the world ’ s top exporters of chicken flesh and body parts .
“ The agency didn ’ t test a thing and it doesn ’ t seem to care , ” Mark Kennedy , attorney for PCRM , told Yahoo Finance .
“ This is the agency that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the food chain and they just said no.
” PETA has called for immediate slaughterhouse closures and has led numerous protests over the reopening of facilities that have had high infection rates .
Over 40,000 slaughterhouse workers across the nation have contracted COVID-19 , and at least 189 of them have died .
While food handling isn ’ t believed to be the main way COVID-19 is spread , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated , “ It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus on it and then touching their own mouth , nose , or possibly their eyes.
” Eating animals puts the whole world at risk of contracting dangerous viruses .
Deadly outbreaks of mad cow disease , swine flu , and other zoonotic diseases have stemmed from capturing or farming animals .
The novel coronavirus may have originated in a live-animal market in China—but when it comes to spawning dangerous pathogens , animal markets and slaughterhouses around the world all pose a danger .
No animal chooses the butcher ’ s knife over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their babies , not be slaughtered .
Cows want to raise their calves and spend time with their friends , not be killed for burgers .
Chickens want to enjoy life in their natural social structures , not be crammed together with hundreds of other suffering birds .
Speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview , deprives animals of their dignity—and we ’ ve seen firsthand how this can lead to devastating consequences .
The easiest way to avoid contaminated meat is to go vegan .
Period .
As long as we continue to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markets and filthy factory farms will keep breeding deadly diseases like COVID-19 .
No one needs to eat meat , eggs , or dairy .
Order a free vegan starter kit from PETA .
Sign up for a free vegan mentor .
You can make a real difference and save nearly 200 animals a year—simply by not eating them !

As if going to the grocery store during a pandemic weren’t stressful enough, certain food choices may be increasing your risk of catching COVID-19.
Imported chicken from Brazil and packaging of imported shrimp from Ecuador, both contaminated with the novel coronavirus, have found their way into China. More recently, the novel coronavirus has also been found on frozen food packaging, specifically on packages of beef and tripe sent to China from Bolivia, Brazil, and New Zealand as well as pork from Argentina, according to reports.
The Chinese city of Jinan said over the weekend it had found #coronavirus on #beef and tripe and their packaging from Brazil, Bolivia and New Zealand, while two other provincial capitals detected it on packaging on #pork from Argentina.https://t.co/UOMh05dhnF — The Korea Herald (@TheKoreaHerald) November 15, 2020
The virus was also found on the meat itself. China is reportedly now increasing testing of its frozen foods.
As the world scrambles to deal with the danger of this deadly new pathogen, guess which country isn’t testing meat for it?
Even though our country leads the world in coronavirus cases and deaths and there have been report after report of COVID-19 outbreaks in slaughterhouses, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is failing to take the pandemic seriously (yet again) by not testing meat for the virus.
The U.S. imports billions of pounds of meat per year, including from Latin American countries that have reported similar COVID-19 outbreaks in slaughterhouses.
The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) filed a lawsuit against the USDA after authorities rejected a petition that requested new requirements to test meat for the novel coronavirus as well as labels to warn shoppers that meat could carry it. The nonprofit organization is asking federal courts to mandate coronavirus testing in slaughterhouses and to make those findings publicly available.
Our country’s lack of testing meat for the virus affects not only Americans but also the entire rest of the planet. The U.S. is one of the world’s top exporters of chicken flesh and body parts.
“The agency didn’t test a thing and it doesn’t seem to care,” Mark Kennedy, attorney for PCRM, told Yahoo Finance. “This is the agency that’s in charge of protecting this part of the food chain and they just said no.”
PETA has called for immediate slaughterhouse closures and has led numerous protests over the reopening of facilities that have had high infection rates. Over 40,000 slaughterhouse workers across the nation have contracted COVID-19, and at least 189 of them have died.
While food handling isn’t believed to be the main way COVID-19 is spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated, “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.”
Eating animals puts the whole world at risk of contracting dangerous viruses.
Deadly outbreaks of mad cow disease, swine flu, and other zoonotic diseases have stemmed from capturing or farming animals. The novel coronavirus may have originated in a live-animal market in China—but when it comes to spawning dangerous pathogens, animal markets and slaughterhouses around the world all pose a danger.
No animal chooses the butcher’s knife over life.
Pigs want to cuddle with their babies, not be slaughtered. Cows want to raise their calves and spend time with their friends, not be killed for burgers. Chickens want to enjoy life in their natural social structures, not be crammed together with hundreds of other suffering birds.
Speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview, deprives animals of their dignity—and we’ve seen firsthand how this can lead to devastating consequences.
The easiest way to avoid contaminated meat is to go vegan. Period.
As long as we continue to raise and kill animals for food, live-animal markets and filthy factory farms will keep breeding deadly diseases like COVID-19. No one needs to eat meat, eggs, or dairy.
Order a free vegan starter kit from PETA. You can make a real difference and save nearly 200 animals a year—simply by not eating them!


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-17--Tell Triple Five That Tigers Don’t Belong in Its Parking Lots!

Tell Triple Five That Tigers Do n't Belong in Its Parking Lots !
Big-cat magic shows are doing a disappearing act as audiences recognize that wild animals belong in nature .
Yet Triple Five Worldwide—a multinational conglomerate that owns malls and other properties—plans to allow magician Jay Owenhouse to cage tigers in a parking lot at a property owned by one of its subsidiaries on Las Vegas ' South Strip .
The tigers—whom he obtained from Bhagavan `` Doc '' Antle , a notoriously cruel tiger breeder exposed in the Netflix docuseries Tiger King—will be subjected to oppressive heat and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six months .
In their natural homes , tigers can travel hundreds of miles , running , swimming , climbing , raising their young , and living as they choose .
Fueling the big-cat breeding industry , in which cubs are torn away from their mothers shortly after birth , and exploiting tigers in demeaning magic acts are forms of speciesism—the belief that humans are inherently superior to other animals based solely on species membership .
Tigers are known for their speed , power , and agility .
As we learned when Roy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mauled to death by a tiger in front of more than 1,500 horrified tourists , all it takes for tragedy to strike is one human error .
Owenhouse himself has even admitted that both he and his daughter have sustained injuries caused by the tigers .
Please urge Triple Five Worldwide to leave wild animals off its properties , now and in the future .

Please urge Lake Station Mayor Bill Carroll and the Lake Station City Council to compel the police department to recuse itself from the case, to allow the Humane Society of Hobart to retain protective custody of all animals involved, and to ensure that an unaffiliated third-party agency take over the investigation immediately.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-18--Feds Suspend License of Jeff Lowe of ‘Tiger King’

Wynnewood , Okla. – PETA has just learned that yesterday , the U.S. Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) suspended the federal Animal Welfare Act exhibitor ’ s license of Jeff Lowe of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park ( aka “ G.W .
Zoo ” ) and Netflix ’ s Tiger King .
Effective immediately , Lowe can not exhibit big cats , bears , primates , or other USDA-regulated species at the G.W .
Zoo or any other property , including at his reportedly forthcoming new roadside zoo in Thackerville , Oklahoma .
This rare step of a license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USDA : In June , it halted its inspection of the facility and ordered Lowe to seek immediate veterinary care for a juvenile lion named Nala ( see page 19 ) , who was lying in mud , lethargic , depressed , and thin .
Below , please find a statement from PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet : Jeff Lowe ’ s license has been suspended , a permanent revocation should be next , and his tiger-terrorizing days may soon be over .
PETA looks forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals at the G.W .
Zoo be transferred to an appropriate facility where it won ’ t take federal intervention for a sick cat to receive veterinary care .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to use for entertainment ” —opposes speciesism , a human-supremacist worldview .
More information about recent developments at G.W .
Zoo is available here .

For Immediate Release:
August 18, 2020
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
Wynnewood, Okla. – PETA has just learned that yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended the federal Animal Welfare Act exhibitor’s license of Jeff Lowe of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (aka “G.W. Zoo”) and Netflix’s Tiger King. Effective immediately, Lowe cannot exhibit big cats, bears, primates, or other USDA-regulated species at the G.W. Zoo or any other property, including at his reportedly forthcoming new roadside zoo in Thackerville, Oklahoma.
This rare step of a license suspension follows another unprecedented move by the USDA: In June, it halted its inspection of the facility and ordered Lowe to seek immediate veterinary care for a juvenile lion named Nala (see page 19), who was lying in mud, lethargic, depressed, and thin.
Below, please find a statement from PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel for Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet:
Jeff Lowe’s license has been suspended, a permanent revocation should be next, and his tiger-terrorizing days may soon be over. PETA looks forward to seeing every one of the long-suffering animals at the G.W. Zoo be transferred to an appropriate facility where it won’t take federal intervention for a sick cat to receive veterinary care.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. More information about recent developments at G.W. Zoo is available here.


petapeoplefortheethicaltreatmentofanimals--2020-08-18--Brookfield Asset Management Nabs PETA Award for Hot Car Warning Signs

Property Management Group Will Help Keep Dogs and Kids From Dying of Heatstroke in Parked Cars New York – A Compassionate Business Award is on its way from PETA to locally based Brookfield Asset Management for displaying warning signs about the dangers of leaving dogs and children in parked cars across its properties .
“ Every year , PETA receives reports of dozens of dogs and other animals who have baked to death after being left in a parked car , ” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman .
“ Brookfield Asset Management could save countless lives by reminding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member in the car.
” Twenty-five animals have already died this year from heat-related causes—and since social distancing because of COVID-19 extends store wait times and prolongs errands , PETA is concerned that this summer could see an unprecedented number of hot weather–related animal deaths .
The group offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for intervening in such life-or-death situations .
Dogs showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness , heavy panting , vomiting , or loss of coordination—should be taken into the shade , given water to drink , and cooled off with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chests .
A veterinarian should be called immediately .
Brookfield Asset Management will receive an award letter , a framed certificate , and a box of delicious vegan chocolates .
PETA—whose motto reads , in part , that “ animals are not ours to abuse in any way ” —opposes speciesism , which is a human-supremacist worldview .
For more information , please visit PETA.org .

Property Management Group Will Help Keep Dogs and Kids From Dying of Heatstroke in Parked Cars
For Immediate Release:
August 18, 2020
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
New York – A Compassionate Business Award is on its way from PETA to locally based Brookfield Asset Management for displaying warning signs about the dangers of leaving dogs and children in parked cars across its properties.
“Every year, PETA receives reports of dozens of dogs and other animals who have baked to death after being left in a parked car,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “Brookfield Asset Management could save countless lives by reminding shoppers never to leave a vulnerable family member in the car.”
Twenty-five animals have already died this year from heat-related causes—and since social distancing because of COVID-19 extends store wait times and prolongs errands, PETA is concerned that this summer could see an unprecedented number of hot weather–related animal deaths. The group offers an emergency window-breaking hammer for intervening in such life-or-death situations.
Dogs showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, or loss of coordination—should be taken into the shade, given water to drink, and cooled off with a cool towel placed on their heads and chests. A veterinarian should be called immediately.
Brookfield Asset Management will receive an award letter, a framed certificate, and a box of delicious vegan chocolates.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—opposes speciesism, which is a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.