Some people doubt that farmers castrate baby animals without painkillers. Indeed they do, whether they label the “end product” organic, free-range, grass-fed, or pasture-raised. Using castrators is perfectly legal and is considered desirable by breeders who believe the sales pitch from the manufacturers—namely, that castrated animals are less aggressive and more marketable. I decided to put the doubters’ skepticism to rest by shopping online for a “livestock castrator.” In 20 seconds, Google gave me a comparison of products based on cost, value, and quality. Here’s the one I zeroed in on: http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=30e0772c-7b6a-11d5-a192-00b0d0204ae5&gas=castrator.
The castrator’s name sounds a bit like an antique Ford: “EZE Castrator Kit Model T-1.” Its initial description makes the $186.95 instrument sound painless: “Within about 30 seconds, the scrotum is completely numb and the animal feels nothing.” In a later paragraph, though, there’s a bit of hedging: “Band castration . . . causes only minimal discomfort and stress to the animal.” Of course, both statements defy logic. Given that these animals share betweeen 60% and 80% of our DNA and are highly sentient, it’s just as ridiculous to claim that the castrator is practically pain-free to cows, sheep, and goats as it would be to say that a human would feel only “minimal discomfort” if his sexual organ were amputated without painkillers.
Here’s the description of the castrator I found:
“Applies a latex band around the scrotum and pulls it tight, cutting off the blood supply. An aluminum clip secures the ring. Once excess band has been cut, you’re ready to re-load for the next animal. Within about 30 seconds, the scrotum is completely numb and the animal feels nothing.
“The scrotum should fall off in 20-40 days. Can be used on cattle, sheep and goats; works best on calves 250 lbs. and up. Vaccinate with tetanus toxoid according to label directions. Kit includes 25 latex bands, 25 clips and instructional DVD. To avoid broken bands, please watch instructional DVD prior to initial use.
“Take advantage of nature’s own growth hormone by leaving bulls intact until 5-8 months of age. University trials show 10-15% improvement in gain both pre- and post-weaning in bull calves over early castrated calves. Natural testosterone also increases frame and carcass cutability. Band castration does not interrupt rate of gain and causes only minimal discomfort and stress to the animal. Tetanus toxoid (Covexin 8, Bar Vac CD-T, Vision C & D Tetanus Toxoid or Ovine Tetanus Shield) should be administered when bands are applied.”
Anyone who believes that should feel free to use it on himself.
I watched a baby pig being castrated and I can tell you, they didn’t do anything to make it less painless. This baby was screaming. This non-human didn’t care that these babies were being hurt to the point that you could hear the suffering without even hearing a sound. It was a video.
These people don’t care about the treatment of any of these creatures. They view them as nothing but profits, and be damn if they cause them harm. But one day, they will pay for what they have done to millions of God’s creatures. And the only thing that makes it even slightly better is the fact that God will punish them for the suffering!
I don’t understand why man has turned his head away to what is happening. It must be that we are finally showing just who we truly are, hateful, selfish, inhumane and just down right evil. It makes me sick to be part of this species. The very species that was supposed to be the more inteligent, not the most evil.
Additionally, there are no approved painkillers for livestock being castrated and dehorned. Studies are under way, but vets will sometimes use NSAIDS and the like. To keep the individual more still while being castrated, an electrical current is run through their body so they are rigid, and unable to move even if they could escape their torment. See http://cattleimmobilizer.com/howworks.htm for an example. I’ve witnessed this from five feet away and can tell you that calves gave all the signals that they were in pain, fear, and and distress.
Yes, “standard practice” in the animal agriculture business is synonomous with abuse and torture. North Dakota recently refused to pass a law with real punishment for severe animal abuse, mostly backed by ranchers who feared that some manner of humane treatment might be required for farmed animals. I wonder about what kind of substandard human beings are capable of treating living, sentient creatures so brutally. Seems as if we have too many of them in the gene pool.