Comments on: LETTER: Animal Compassion Is More than Just Pets

By: Daniel Burke

Daniel Burke — Mon, 23 Feb 2015 01:54:03 +0000

My wife and I would also be interested in getting laws enforced to prevent tethering and continuous penning of dogs. One way to help fund this would be to enforce existing laws requiring licenses and rabies shots. If you forced marginal animal owners to spend the money to properly care for their animals a lot of the abuse would dissappear.

By: Christine Flye

Christine Flye — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:36:19 +0000

I would like to know how citizens of the shore can get laws on the books that prevent ignorant people from chaining their animals and leaving them in the cold and heat! I would love to be part of a movement like this. We have to give them a voice!

By: Susan Bauer

Susan Bauer — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 14:18:46 +0000

I would like to host a monthly vegan potluck in Cape Charles, for vegetarians, vegans and the vegan-curious. I need to know if there is interest. Please e-mail me at pugresq@yahoo.com.

By: Susan Bauer

Susan Bauer — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 20:11:05 +0000

Dr. Karen Davis is one of the bravest people I have ever met. She established a poultry rescue in the very heart of the chicken industry here on the Eastern Shore. I have visited her sanctuary where chickens and other birds socialize in flocks, sleep on a heated porch, and have abundant good food and fresh water. If you are lucky, and patient, they will approach you with their expressive eyes and inquisitive demeanor, and if you have any humanity at all you will recognize these complex and emotional beings do not deserve to end up in your deep fryer. This is not about “pet worship” Mr. Bono. It is about having respect for other living creatures. Fortunately, they have a relentless advocate in Dr. Davis. She works tirelessly to enlighten and educate people like you.

By: Mary Finelli

Mary Finelli — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 19:49:41 +0000

Scott, are you translating concern for basic needs and living conditions for companion animals into “pet worship”? If so, I certainly hope there are no animals who are dependent on you for their care. It’s a matter of having basic decency and respect for our fellow sentient species.

By: Scott Bono

Scott Bono — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 19:18:01 +0000

Pet Worship is alive and well on The Eastern Shore of Virginia.

By: Melanie Waleski

Melanie Waleski — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 02:18:03 +0000

Very interesting letter. I agree that people who are sadistic to animals in their workplace are also cruel in other aspects of their life. Animal control here in Charlottesville does nothing more than make sure that the dogs tied or penned outside 365 days a year in this city have a shelter. It doesn’t matter if there is no food or water or bedding. The situation is horrible. I am thankful that there are people who stand up and speak for the animals!! Without them our world would be so much worse off — thoughtlessness and cruelty would win.

Thanks! Keep up the good work!

By: Dean Shifflett

Dean Shifflett — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 21:48:02 +0000

The most abused farm animal is the chicken. It is small, defenseless, and dependent on humans for survival. Chickens are subjected to interstate transport on the backs of trucks in sub-freezing or sweltering temperatures; being slaughtered while alive and fully conscious; and abuse from birth to death -- male chicks are ground up alive, as they do not produce eggs. On top of all of these horrific conditions they are often abused even more by their handlers: thrown against walls, floors, into crates, stomped, etc. The Animal Welfare Act provides little protection against these horrific and routine offenses. When humans are treated like chickens, the perpetrators are referred to as psychopaths. But like sexists who minimize women, or racists who minimize minorities, speciesist give themselves a free pass for all of these unconscionable behaviors, under the ruse that the animals are inferior. The fact is: animals feel pain, fear, discomfort, and stress. It is time to stop treating animals in a way that, if perpetrated upon a human, would result in a life sentence for the offender. The link between animal abuse and violence toward humans is well-established. Case in point: Jeffrey Dahlmer. Commercials by the chicken industry fraudulently portray a chicken's life as idyllic, fun-filled, and enjoyable, which is quite perverse, given their intention of raising and killing as many animals as quickly as possible. Purdue can only use cartoon images of a chicken, as authentic, undercover images of the chicken houses and slaughter houses would be too much for most to bear. There are a multitude of vegetarian "chicken" meals that taste and look like "nuggets" but are healthier, do not cause listeria in a factory farm neighbor's well water, and are CRUELTY FREE. Visit websites like LightLife.com, United Poultry Concerns, PETA, HSUS, etc., to learn about healthier, earth- and animal-friendly options. Similarly, it would be just as sickening, if the Nazis referred to their concentration camps (modeled after chicken farms, by the way) as "resorts" for their condemned. Shame on Purdue, and Tyson's too!

By: Mary Finelli

Mary Finelli — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 20:50:32 +0000

Many thanks to the Cape Charles Wave for bringing desperately needed attention to the needless and preventable human-caused suffering of companion animals and farmed animals. The latter are just as susceptible to fear and pain as the former, and equally deserving of protection.

Stricter laws need to be promulgated and enforced to protect companion animals. The best way that each of us can prevent harm to farmed animals is to not support their exploitation. There are marvelous vegan alternatives to every type of animal product imaginable. They’re better for the animals, for our own health, and for the environment.

By: Victoria Worthy

Victoria Worthy — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 18:16:23 +0000

Pets and farm animals should not be considered commodities! They need basic health care and food and water. They should all have access to grass and the outdoors during good weather. STOP the insanity of Farm Factories!