Why are puppy mills illegal but gestation crates for pigs arent?

Question

Whta is the difference?? Pigs in sow farms are treated just like puppy milld dogs, they are bred over and over and confined in dirty filthy cages, but why is it acceptable for pigs to be treated this way. They are the same as dogs only smarter. I dont get this!

I hate the fact that puppy mills are getting all sorts of media attention, on how horrible they are. At least the puppies arent sent to be fattened in horrible conditions then slaughter for food. Thay will go to loving homes I assume right, so why is it wrong?

Really I would like to know what people think about this issue.

Answer 1

The world can be a cruel and sad place sometimes....unfortunately, that's just the way it is.  While it would be nice to try and change humanity towards livestock, humans' need for food and freedom trumps that of the animals.  Probably a good idea that we all think twice when we start humanizing animals....

Answer 2

go in another section and complain dog hater!!

Answer 3

because pigs are bred for eatin duh

Answer 4

I agree.  In California this November we will be voting on a ballot measure that requires all farm animals that are kept in enclosures to have enough room to stand up, lie down, spread their wings fully,  turn around, etc.

Answer 5

It may not be logically correct, but the reason is obvious.  Humans are exposed to dogs more than pigs, so they can relate with them better.  They think of their own pets.  When they think of pigs, they just think of pork.  I'm not saying it's right...but that is the way things work in our society.  I'm vegan, so of course I'm completely against gestation crates...I'm just explaining why the former is socially unacceptable while the latter is not.

Answer 6

because puppies are lovely and you can't be cruel to puppies =]

Answer 7

Because puppies are cute and cuddly and everyone knows that you can't eat dogs because they're pets, so it's barbaric, but bacon is a-okay!

I'm only half-sarcastic there. Speaking seriously, it is totally arbitrary. It could be that people are used to interacting regularly with dogs, so in their minds, dogs=pets, while few people ever see a pig outside of TV, but lots of people eat pig products, so pigs=food, and that's an association that most people won't lose, even in the face of the barbarism of factory farms.

Personally, as a vegetarian, I say that pigs are friends, not food (bad Finding Nemo joke there, sorry), but most people are alienated enough from what they eat to not really care, while they're familiar enough with dogs to see the conditions of puppy mills for what they are.

Answer 8

Animals raised for food are typically exempted from animal welfare and animal cruelty laws.  The reason for that is beyond me.  I think if animal industrialists can show that something is "typical" practice, it's considered okay.

Answer 9

Usually when they go to "loving homes" they get sick and die, don't live very long or they have severe genetic behavioral issues due to s**+tty breeding and have to be put down.

Answer 10

Puppy mills are not illegal. So the rest of your rant is baseless.

Answer 11

Human is still in the making of "Code of Ethics".

Answer 12

Because people think pigs are nothing.I so agree with you.

I hate how people favor dogs more than any other animal.Everyone should just leave animals alone.They are living, just like dogs.Like seriously, you don't see people eating tehir dogs.but they eat cow,BABY cow,pig,chicken,turkey,a nd other animals!

Answer 13

I totally agree with your opinion.  But what some people will probably say is that dogs are cuter and pigs taste better.  (Both are statements  of opinion, and one of them probably wouldn't be made from past experience.)

As a matter of fact, I once asked a question to my class and it was, "Why is it that eating a dog or cat isn't justifiable, but eating a cow is?"  And someone actually had the nerve to say, "Kitties are cuter and cows taste better."  I had to bite my tongue before I started going on a huge, half-hour, animal rights rant in front of the class.

Another statement they might use is the fact that the gestation crates are 'for human benefit.'  Responses like this are common, so don't be surprised if you get at least one.

But, yes, I totally agree with you; puppy mills are wrong, gestation crates are wrong, and neither of them should be getting more attention than the other.  I am saying this as both an animal-rights-activist-in-the-making, and also as an animal lover.

Additional comment--  If you could see my avatar's full body, you would see there is a smiling little piggy next to me.

Answer 14

The crates were developed to prevent the sows from fighting, injuring themselves, and later, squashing their own piglets.  As alternatives are developed, the crates are being phased out of use, even by Smithfield Foods, the nations largest pork producer.  Yes, an "EVIL" factory farm.

You can unbunch your undies now.