Should Australia Bans Live Export?

Animal Cruelty is a problem that many ignore. People are oblivious to these animals and the negligence their owners show. Animal cruelty is an underlying problem in today’s society, and the only way to counteract these problems, is for this generation to do something about it.

Today in the US, people do not consume horse meat on a whole sale basis. But because many other counties do, the exporting of horse meat is a huge industry. When the ban was in place, US horses were being transported to Canada and Mexico to be slaughtered instead. From 2006 to 2010 the increase in horses being exported to Canada and Mexico was 148 and 660 percent. They are loaded up on trailers and shipped across the boarders, often times going days without food or water until they reach their destination. The regulations, or lack thereof, are different than in the US. (Shesgreen)

Animals are beaten and abused on a daily basis due to barbaric individuals. Whether it be from harmful intentions or pure negligence most cases go unreported. “Deliberate cruelty may involve beating, shooting, stabbing animals, or setting them on fire. Neglect is not giving a necessary food, water, shelter, or vet care” (Human Society). The lack of attention and care for these animals can often lead to severe, and sometimes irrevocable damage. The Animal Legal Defense Fund, ALDF for short, website tells of one story where neighbors of a farm complained to the local humane society, “that the Colliers were neglecting many animals on their farm, including dogs and horses. When they went to their property to investigate, they discovered dogs and horses in several states of neglect and starvation and seized them out of concern for their immediate health”(ALDF). Sadly, however, it can become much worse for animals. Owners will sometimes purposefully abuse their animals. Unfortunately, occurrences like these are hardly uncommon. One such example, from the RSPCA of England, the Royal

Animal welfare conditions overseas would decline if Australian stopped exporting livestock. Australia is the only country in the world that actively works in overseas markets to improve animal welfare conditions. Approximately 95% of Australian cattle in Indonesia are now stunned pre-slaughter, up from less than 10% in 2011.

It presents an extreme version of the opposing argument, and persuades the reader to think of Australians for Animal Rights as being unreasonably controlling. Conversely, the writer presents himself as being both progressive and reasonable. The irony of the situation is ‘to provide cheap food when we could afford to pay more’, suggesting that Australians for Animal Rights is being manipulative and hypocritical. The reader is positioned to reject any Australians for Animal Rights’s attempt to gain even more power. Using inclusive language, the writer suggested that the issue is inescapable. This reinforces the argument that people must act now and also emphasises the issue’s relevance and significance to the

A poll conducted by the ASPCA revealed that 94% of Americans believe that production animals, specifically those raised for food, deserve to live a comfortable life free of cruelty and neglect. Despite this belief, many factory farm animals are abused and neglected in such ways that, if witnessed by consumers, would not be accepted. Over 99% of the United State’s farm animals live on factory farms that use them for means of profit, many of them violating the Animal Welfare Act and other laws put in place to protect the humane treatment of animals (ASPCA). This abuse is not limited to any specific type of farm animal. Although different animals are used for different purposes, they all share a common suffering and a need for humane care.

In Australia State and Territory animal welfare legislation prohibits all forms of animal cruelty and imposes that all owners of animals are obligated to provide for all welfare need for their animals. Any breaches in the animal welfare legislation is a serious crime and can result in fine and imprisonment. A woman from Deer Park Texas has been convicted to jail by a jury for aggravated animal cruelty and animal torture for allowing over 3 dozen dogs to starve to death in locked cages at her Muddy Paws “Pet Rescue” facility in Deer Park. This is an overwhelming case as she had been running a business where people would take stray dogs when found as they were supposedly being taken care of and found new homes if an owner could not be found. This woman has knowingly let these animals starve rather than using the money that was being Donated to the business for food. In my opinion this woman shouldn't have been allowed to run this facility and should never be allowed to care for animals or people after she is released from jail.

The idea of animal rights has been around for centuries. Even decades ago, people were taking action for the welfare of animals. Marc Bekoff and Ned Hettinger share this idea all the way back in 1994 when they said that there is evidence that scientist are concerned with animal welfare by acknowledge that they use the guidelines in place to protect animals during research, in order to have their work published (Bekoff 219). Guidelines are the basis for the moral and ethical treatment of animals. Each person may have his or her own standard, but having a standard among the entire population ensures the welfare of the animals. Unfortunately, these standards are not at a level to where the animals are being protected. Many animals in captivity are treated in ways that would shock the average person. Orcas for example, are starved until they do the desired task (Cowperthwaite). This form of operant condition can lead to success, but often leads to resentment and hostility towards the trainers.

Over the centuries, animals have suffered from cruelty from humans. In the United States, animals are beaten, neglected, or forced to struggle for survival. Animals have been inflicted with pain from humans for reasons other than self-defense. They have been slaughtered for their food and fur for personal gain in profit. In a majority of cases they have even been abused for someone’s own personal amusement or out of rage filled impulses. In some cases animals are found and rescued. They are given the second chance in life to experience what life should be like compared to what they once had.

One case of animal abuse in the U.S. food industry is the Central Valley Meat Co, located in Hanford, California. Employees at the Hanford Slaughterhouse were caught on video killing cows violently and inhumanely, neglecting to render cows unconscious before slaughter, and other forms of abuse. Many of the cows appeared to be sick and unable to walk as well. Under federal rules, sick animals can’t be slaughtered for human consumption. (Nidever)

Animals are a big part of many people’s lives. They provide companionship; they provide daily assistance to those that have deficits and are having difficulty functioning in their daily life; they provide security and help keep a watchful eye on things, plus so much more. And yet, with all that animals do for us, there are those that are treated with such little regard, care, and cruelty. They are unable to speak for themselves and therefore, they need a voice to speak for them.

Australia’s primary exports lie in natural resources and agricultural commodities (Siriwardana, 2015). The Australian beef industry is the sixth largest exporter in the world where average beef exports from Australia are approximately 1.3 million tonnes, amounting to approximately 65% of total beef production (Tozer and Marsh, 2012). In a global context, Australia is the sixth largest beef producer and the second largest beef exporter, therefore it would be most efficient for Australia to trade with other nations who produce and export beef less effectively (Meat & Livestock Australia, 2016).

Each year, the most extreme cases of animal abuse receive media attention. Yet, the animal cruelty problem is more widespread than is reported in the media. Animal abuse and neglect is a nationwide issue, affecting thousands of animals nationwide. Cruelty to animals is defined as the infliction of physical pain, suffering or death on an animal, beyond what is necessary. There is a need to stop abusers from acting in such a horrific manner–preventing the neglect and suffering of the animals. What causes animal abusers to act in such a cruel way towards animals? How are cases of animal abuse being managed, and how should cases be handled? Finally, does the status of animals in society contribute to the rate of their abuse?

The article follows the story about an Australian woman who breached her duty of care to two horses that she owned (Emery, 2016). Bianca Jayne Wogandt starved her horses for over a year after providing them with inadequate amounts of food (Emery, 2016). RSPCA were working with Bianca in educating her about how to care for her horses however, after 9 months, there had been no improvement in their weight. RSPCA seized the animals in December, 2014 (Emery, 2016). The court fined her $3000 and prohibited her from owning horses for the next three years (Emery, 2016). During the trial, it was established that although Bianca did have the horses’ welfare in heart, she did not have the financial means in providing for them. Bianca is now fighting the $12,000 in costs that the RSPCA is claiming over caring for the horses (Emery, 2016).

Animal cruelty is a rapidly growing nationwide problem. Animals are being hurt and starved everyday. Acts of violence towards animals, animal neglect and even psychological harm are forms of animal cruelty. If you check the webpage of RSPCA Australia (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), you will find a list of actions and conditions that can be qualified as cruelty to animals. The list includes such points as torturing or beating an animal; failing to provide it with food and appropriate treatment in case of disease or injury; killing an animal in an inhumane manner; failing to provide appropriate transportation conditions, and so on. According to statistics, animals who suffer from cruelty most often are dogs (64.5%) and cats (18%). 25% are for other animals, such as horses (The Humane Society). Supposedly, it means domestic pets are the most vulnerable category to suffer from cruelty; also, it might mean cruelty towards animals is a result of pet owners demonstrating their anger, frustration, or stress on the closest and most defenseless creatures. Greyhound racing, puppy farms and animal testing are three major examples of animal cruelty. Thousands of animals are being mistreated in Australia