Humane Treatment of Animals Georgia Agricultural Education Office Catrina Kennedy and Dr. Frank Flanders February 2006

Objectives Students will be able to: Give reasons why some people disagree with raising animals for food. To list the laws governing the use of agricultural animals. Explain the use of confinement operations. Explain how research using animals has helped humans. Give examples of animal cruelty. Demonstrate safe practices in animal care. Define the humane treatment of animals Deal with conflicting views of animal treatment

1990 National Cattlemen’s Association Statement on Animal Care “I believe in the humane treatment of farm animals in continued stewardship of all natural resources. I believe my cattle will be healthier and more productive when good husbandry practices used. I believe that my and future generations will benefit from my ability to sustain and conserve natural resources. I will support research efforts directed toward more efficient production of wholesome food supply. I believe that it is my responsibility to produce a safe and wholesome product. I believe it is the purpose of food animals to serve mankind and it is the responsibility of all human beings to care for animals in their care.” Even though some things are preventable some people are cruel and should not have the right to be around animals. For the most part people that work with animals especially with the FFA and 4-H take VERY good care of their animals.

Definitions Cruelty-is indifference to suffering Animal Cruelty - the willful mistreatment of animals Animal Husbandry - the science of raising and breeding livestock Castration- the removal of the male testicles Elastrator- the band to castrate animals and docking their tails Branding- marking animals for identification Ethics-the moral principles governing or influencing conduct

Why do we raise animals? We raise animals in order to cloth and feed our society. We also have certain animals for companionship.

Fair Treatment of Animals Animals should: Be given adequate amounts of food and water Be given proper medications when needed Be allowed adequate amounts of room Be given suitable living conditions Be stress-free

Activist vs. Producers Activist see them as animal factories where animals are mass produced and producers only care about money. Producers are inn the business because they enjoy animals and have their best interests at heart.

Cruelty People have different views as to what is cruel: Tagging/Notching Branding Over-feeding/Malnutrition Castration Facilities Slaughtering Practices Recreational use of Animals Discuss each of these with the students and have them tell you why or why not each of these are considered t be cruel or not.

Is this animal cruelty? Keeping a dog in the house all day while you are at work? Riding a horse? Keeping a bird in a cage? Forcing a cat to eat a vegetarian diet? Teach to ask and discuss each with class

Groups that do or may oppose Livestock shows PETA-People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Buck the Rodeo ASPCA-American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Possible confrontation with animal rights activist Many of these groups or individuals may confront producers, students and teachers.

What would you do? How should each of these be handled? -A group of protestors have placed themselves in cages as part of a demonstration. - A person approaches you at a livestock show and begins questioning how you are treating your animal. -You come across a website that allows you to vent about PETA. Discuss the proper ways to handle each of these situations. Mention that the entire idea behind most groups is to get people fired up so that they will in turn do something stupid to make the news. In the first scenario the students should ignore the protestors. No matter how tempting it is to laugh and point they should just walk past them. If someone approaches them they should follow the rules they learned in Kindergarten “NEVER TALK TO STRANGERS”! Even though it may be tempting to bash a group it is not professional especially if you put that you are affiliated with FFA or Agriculture Education.

Safe Practices Make sure that your animals have plenty of food and water at all times. Watch for disease. Allow them to have plenty of room. Do not excessively hit, kick, or stomp them Animals shown by FFA students are some of the most well taken care of animals. In what other area do you know of an owner sleeping with an animal? In fact, many students that show take exceptional care of their animals. They get bathed, brushed, and clipped. Students will stay all night in the barn with their animals. Unfortunately, many people have a skued idea about what animal mistreatment is.

Animal By-Products Perfume Makeup Medicines Clothing Gelatin Film Candles Toothpaste Chewing Gum It is important that we realize that we don’t just use animals for their meat. Many of the other parts are also used. Without the use of animals we would not have the many conveniences that we do today. What would you do if you didn’t have chewing gum that helped keep you awake? Or could you imagine people’s breath if we didn’t have toothpaste? A lot of people do not realize how annoying life would be with out some of these things.

Laws A person commits the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals when he or she knowingly and maliciously causes death or physical harm to an animal by rendering a part of such animal's body useless or by seriously disfiguring such animal. A person convicted of the offense of aggravated cruelty to animals shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, a fine not to exceed $15,000.00, or both, provided that any person who is convicted of a second or subsequent violation of this subsection shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than five years, a fine not to exceed the amount provided by Code Section 17-10-8, or both.

Quiz 1. Which of the following is an animal byproduct? A. Watches B. Cotton Shirt C. Lipstick D. Staple 2. What is animal husbandry? A. Animal being married B. Raising/Breeding C. Feeding D. Brushing 3. Why is branding important? A. Identification B. Value C. Hide Improvement D. All of the Above 4. What is the best way to handle someone harassing you? A. Ignore them B. Argue C. Get a Teacher D. A and C 5. Activist see them as animal ________ where animals are mass produced? A. Lovers B. Houses C. Factories D. Huggers 6. The moral principals governing or influencing conduct is ________. A. Ethics B. Husbandry C. Banding D. Castration 7. The willful mistreatment of animals is________. A. Ethics B. Cruelty C. Husbandry D. Banding

Quiz-Answers 1. C 2. B 3. A 4. D 5. C 6. A 7. B