A Humane Society investigation led to the closure of Vermont-based Bushway Packing Inc. slaughterhouse. Videotape from the investigation reveals that veal calves only a few days old - many with their umbilical cords still hanging from their bodies - were unable to stand or walk on their own. The tape shows that the animals were kicked, slapped and repeatedly shocked with electric prods and subjected to other mistreatment.The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture took decisive action last Friday based on the information provided by The HSUS and immediately suspended operations at the plant, pending a continuing investigation.According to a report published by the Associated Press, “U.S. Department of Agriculture records show Bushway Packing Inc. of Grand Isle was shut down for a day in May, again in June and again in July after an inspector cited it for inhumane treatment of animals.”Still according to the AP report, “the slaughterhouse specialized in “bob veal” - meat from days-old calves that ends up in hot dogs and lunch meats.” Ironically, meat coming from this slaughterhouse was certified organic, which once again highlights how meaningless this label is when it comes to animal products.Veal is a by-product of the dairy industry, therefore the most effective answer to this horrible situation is going vegan. These innocent infants are babies snatched away from their mothers, who are literally milked to death, are then killed for someone’s pleasure. This is a not an industry that can be regulated because cruelty is inherent to the process of animal farming. But everyone can help eradicate it through a vegan diet. It’s that simple.Undercover video – contains imagery that some may find upsetting (but very revealing of what the dairy industry really looks like):
“Arizona had about 358,000 head of cattle in January, down from about 373,000 a year earlier, according to the USDA”, writes the Arizona Daily Star online . That’s about a five percent reduction in the number of animals being exploited to death by the industry. Wouldn’t it be nice if it went down to zero? I have been reading about the current dairy crisis, with falling prices and animals being slaughtered because they are no longer ‘profitable’, and it makes me wonder about the world we live in.
When are people going to see this is a crazy business? Keeping animals to make a profit out of their lives is cruel and risky and when push comes to shovel, the animals are treated as a piece of trash to be disposed of, a useless commodity. Such an approach leaves me cold.
That’s why I’m a vegan. By adopting a vegan diet you no longer participate in the twisted economics of the animal exploitation industry. It’s a sick, morally repugnant business as stories like the one linked to above show. I feel really sorry for all these cows being hastily slaughtered because their calves’ milk is no longer profitable. It’s disgusting.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park tops Peta’s 2008 top ten list of vegetarian-friendly ballparks.According to a press release issued by the animal rights organization, “Although New York and Florida are giving the Phils a run for their money for the National League East lead, the best that the Mets and the Marlins could muster in PETA’s race was honorable mention. In addition to the faux Philly steak, meat-free subs and wraps, and veggie dogs and burgers that gave Philadelphia a lock on first place last year, the stadium has added a superb crab-free crab cake and mock-chicken sandwich that have put the Phils in a league of their own.”
In second place again this year is AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. The Giants offer veggie dogs and burgers, a portobello mushroom sandwich, vegetarian sushi, and the vegetarian cha cha bowl, which is filled with black beans, rice, and pineapple salsa. Rounding out the top five winners are the Seattle Mariners’ Safeco Field, the San Diego Padres’ PETCO Park, and the Chicago White Sox’s U.S. Cellular Field.
PETA has also ranked the topped 10 vegetarian-friendly minor-league ballparks with MerchantsAuto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, taking the top spot and Durham Bulls Athletic Park clinching second.
“The food vendors at major-league ballparks are swinging for the fences when it comes to offering fans great vegetarian options that are kind to their health and to animals,” says PETA Assistant Director Dan Shannon. “Cholesterol-packed, meaty fare makes fans fat, so if you want to stand up for the seventh inning stretch, give the delicious vegetarian foods a try!”
“Arizona had about 358,000 head of cattle in January, down from about 373,000 a year earlier, according to the USDA”, writes the 
