Today, I experienced something horrible.

[zippy-kat]

I know this isn't the right place to post this but my brain isn't exactly functioning right now. Today, I went out to take my riding practicum. On the opposite side of the arenas is the where they keep the hogs. While tacking up, we heard some of the pigs squealing...SCREAMING is more like it. I thought maybe they were castrating them but happened to look across the way right as they killed one. I went numb. I don't know how I did on my riding practicum. I ended up leaving class early b/c I couldn't take any more of the pigs' death cries.

I'm not a vegetarian but I'm not a big meat eater. I dunno...I know ppl eat them, so I'm not sure why this really bothers me--but here I am bawling my eyes out.

I just wish I could get their screaming out of my head...

[sammi]

OMG! That is awful. Is it where they butcher the pigs? I just read some place that they have rules and regulations that they need to use more humane treatment to prevent undo suffering of animals. Can you report this? I don't know who to at the moment but, no animal should be treated like that nor should it be within range of where people can observe whats going on. So sorry that you heard that. You need to do something to get it out of your head. I don't know what to tell you but I hope some of the others will help.

[AmberLee]

{{{zippy}}}

I don't know what to say. So sorry that you saw that and that it's hurting you so. Cyberhugs. Can you find a fur-baby to hug? That might help.

[Golden Smiles]

I think we'd all be vegetarians if we had to hear their screams! That is awful, and i'm sorry you had to experience that. I understand how you feel, When the sounds come into your head try to think of something nice right away, take care.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Hi, Zipper ~

Not much I can say that will help to remove the images stuck in your mind. What might help you is to become involved in changing the methods they use to kill the pigs...

There ARE humane methods that can be used. You might find some satisfaction in talking to the farm manager and asking why their present methods cause such distress to the animals. You might point out that whatever they are doing creats stress not only to the animals, but to members of the student body, and probably faculty members, as well.

Being a part of a University of higher?? learning, maybe they should do a little research and emply a more acceptable (to both human and animal) method of ending a life.

Do your best to try to improve the situation and I know that you'll fell better for making the effort.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Hi Tonya, I am so sorry that you had to witness such inhumane actions, I can understand how difficult it would be to try not to think about it, but maybe you can do what Phred says and talk to a Counselor about what you witnessed and how much stress it has caused you and just maybe they will do something about it.
Jackie

[Gepansy]

I know that you called mom and told her about it....but I didn't hear much, only that pigs got killed.Is that illeagle (however u spell it) there? sorry u saw it happen.

[4 feline house]

This may sound dumb, but I wasn't there so I have to ask: are you sure they were being killed?

I seldom post on the dog board, so I'm out of the loop - I can't get a grasp of where you were when this was happening.

Pigs can only be killed for food at a licensed slaughtering facility, but I'm sure that's not where you were, or, of course, you wouldn't be so traumatized. I mean, it would probably still be disturbing, but not so unexpected.

Were you at a school that has a vet college? If so, they would surely have euthanized by injection.

Something is wrong, dreadfully wrong, either someone is slaughtering pigs illegally or euthanizing them inhumanely. I can't think of why in the world anyone would need or want to kill a pig except for food or illness.

Maybe questions need to be aked.

[zippy-kat]

The pigs, or where they use to be, is part of the univeristy's land--so I guess it's an extension of the Ag college. Up until today, I had never noticed anyone out and about with the pigs.

Mom and Pop are bunny-sitting for me while I finish finals and get ready to move. Sure do wish Miz Sophie was here now!

True, they are SUPPOSE to use human methods to slaughter but I dunno... one of my best friends from high skewl is in vet skewl right now. She told me that she had one class where every student was given a goat or lamb. After examining the animal, they had to cut its throat. What the purpose was, I'm not sure--SHE wasn't even sure. But they had a bbq afterwards (kid you not).

[aly]

This whole thread has greatly disturbed me, so I can only imagine how bad you must feel to have witnessed this. I don't think there's anything I can say to ease the horrifying image, but I hope you can get it out of your head. I'm so sorry.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh my goodness, that's just awful!!! That is soooo cruel! I'm so sorry you saw this, Tonya!

Sarah & Sadie*

[ramanth]

{{{zippy}}}}

That's just awful. Agriculture University or not, they should NOT have been doing that so close to where others were doing other activities.

I'm assuming you had some sort of riding test, right?

Why would they have the pigs so close to the arena where you were riding? If you were taking a test, I'd complain right off that what they were doing was distracting.

I live close to MSU and they have each section seperated. No one would ever be riding in an arena to practice with pigs being slaughtered within viewing and hearing distance.

I'd complain to the college school board.

~Kimmy

[RachelJ]

I think if we all had to witness how animals are slaughtered (even in the normal way) there would be many more vegetarians. I am not a vegetarian but I do strive to eat less and less meat. My compassion for animals and my meat eating are something I feel very conflicted about. That said, I am very sorry that you had to witness and hear what you did. No one should have to come upon such an event unexpectingly. I think you have every right to complain to the powers that be.

[tatsxxx11]

Tonya, I am so very sorry you had to witness that. I completely understand your horror as I would have reacted exactly as you did. More and more, meat has become less and less a part of my diet. Maybe once a month. And while I respect every person's individual decision, still, as Spencer says, it does give us all pause for thought. Regardless, no animal, no living creature, for whatever reason, should be subjected to such a cruel and painful end to it's life. Nor should a gentle soul such as yourself be subjected to witnessing it. I hope that when you feel better, you might get to the bottom of the circumstances of this very disturbing event so that others will not have to go through what you did. I'm thinking of you sweetie.

[yorkster]

Zippy.....I am so sorry for you! I know that if I had seen/heard that, I could not get it out of my head.
I do eat meat, but not much anymore. I rarely ever eat pork (especially after seeing Babe). Maybe I won't eat it at all now!

I love pigs! I have always wanted one for a pet. George Clooney has a pig for a pet, and has had it for years. He loves it, and I saw an interview with him talking about it- he is very serious about his pet pig.
It might sound silly, but there is something really good about a man that can love a pig!