Cattleman can be an animal rights activist

Elko Daily Free Press
By DAN L. GRALIAN
May 23, 2008

As a livestock producer, I am not an “animal rights activist.” But, I am an advocate for proper care and handling of livestock - and for that matter all animals in general.

When the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) released a film they had taken with a hidden camera of a “downer” cow being abused by employees of the Hallmark/Westland packing plant in California, we all said it was deplorable but an “isolated” incident.

As it turns out, we were wrong.

As part of the organization's ongoing investigation, the HSUS sent camera carrying undercover investigators to four livestock auction barns in four states - Maryland, New Mexico, Texas and Pennsylvania.

They selected the Texas auction barn because they had received a complaint. They had long-standing concerns about the Pennsylvania facility and the New Mexico auction barn was chosen for its close proximity to the feedlots. Maryland was selected because it was close to Washington, D.C.

The HSUS claims it found cases of downer cow abuses at all four locations. And I believe the HSUS. I saw the photographs it posted on its Web page. In one case in Westminster, Md., a downer cow was left lying unattended outside a sale barn area even after they closed for the night. The next day the HSUS investigator called the local humane society to dispatch the animal with a firearm and put her out of her misery.

You can see this footage and more on the Web site www.hsus.org.

I am embarrassed! I am ashamed! And I am outraged!

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