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Oxen's upcoming slaughter creates controversy
Should longtime working farm animals be allowed to live a peaceful retirement, or should they be slaughtered and consumed?
Wed, Oct 31 2012 at 1:04 AM
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Oxen in a field

Photo: BarbaraLN

Friends of mine once adopted children from Africa, and one of the first things that demonstrated a cultural difference was when the family car was weaving through some country lanes and a deer appeared in nearby woods. “Stop! Stop!” the children yelled in their limited English, “Food! Food!”
 
To children who had known the gnawing experience of true hunger, a deer skittering on the side of the road was a sign of hope for a good dinner that night. They had little understanding of American markets full of food, hunting laws and regulations, and only a limited grasp of the English language, so they had a hard time understanding why their crazy American family was passing by a hearty dinner opportunity.
 
Their reaction that night drove home how much hunger (or our lack of hunger) changes our perspective. In a current controversy surrounding a little farm at Green Mountain College, I think that perspective is evident. At this farm, sustainable, “green” farming is the name of the game. Chickens live a true free-range life, solar panels heat the greenhouse, and a pair of working oxen has tilled the ground for almost a decade. These special animals are named Bill and Lou. But after long years of work, they are becoming too old for the work, and one, Lou, has become injured.
 
The college had three choices: euthanasia, sanctuary or slaughter. They made the decision to slaughter the oxen, the meat to be used to for the school’s dining hall. This certainly would go along with the school’s focus on a sustainable, waste-less living philosophy. But unsurprisingly, this decision has been criticized by those familiar with the animals as well as animal rights activists. Pattrice Jones, the founder of an animal sanctuary, exclaimed that, “It just shocks the conscience of anybody who believes in kindness to animals.” 
 
This reaction would make Dr. Dolittle proud. The children’s series, written in the 1920s, featured a kindly naturalist and doctor who could speak to animals. Though sausages are eaten frequently in the book, animal welfare, including “retirement” for old farm animals was near to the heart of the fictional Dr. Dolittle. And, while I don’t personally disagree with the college’s decision, I well understand that thought.
 
Here are a couple of my own thoughts on this issue.
 
1. We have many things for which to be thankful. The fact that we can argue and create a controversy over whether farm animals can be consumed in our country shows that the general population isn’t starving. People who have known true hunger are grateful for any food, including the meat of beloved farm animals. My sympathies lie with the ailing animals, and I can wonder with Dr. Dolittle whether or not they have earned a rest in happy green pastures. But I also know that longing for a good life for “retired” farm animals is a luxury grown in the fertile ground of never knowing real hunger. My friends' children wouldn’t understand this controversy.

2. The “slaughter” of animals can be humane. I think it is also important to know that many small butchers take care to make the end as painless as possible for the animals, and I would hope and assume that a small farm such as this would take care in how the slaughter of these animals took place. While perhaps a side issue for many, I think that showing kindness to animals should be followed through to the end. It is also important to note that at least one of these animals has grown quite sick and couldn’t thoroughly enjoy happy green pastures much longer as it is.
 
3. Animals aren’t human. But when I read through some of the passionate appeals for the “life” of these animals, I was struck that it really came down to an underlying conviction. If you feel that animals deserve the same treatment as humans, then of course, eating hard working farm animals seems not only cruel to the animal but also barbaric to do as a human. A vegan I know at a local grocery store once told me that she sees the butcher department the same way I would feel if human legs and arms were hung and sold there. A gruesome thought indeed, but that was her reality every time she saw animal meat for sale. I think that explains the almost violent reaction to this small college’s decision. If you feel as strongly as my friend, your reaction will be understandably passionate.
 
But, if you believe as I do that animals are in a different category than humans — and that while it would be against all of my beliefs to consume a fellow human, I can easily see the gift of food in hamburger meat — this decision is not offensive.
 
In the Judeo-Christian viewpoint, treating animals well is a sign of a righteous man. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man will have regard and care for the “life of his beast.” While it is clear that animals were killed and consumed for food as well as used for sacrifice by ancient Israel, it is also clear that animals were supposed to be treated fairly and kindly. If this college decided not to slaughter the oxen and “put them to pasture,” I feel that it would be a good reflection of treating animals “kindly” and would be a decision I could support.
 
However, their decision is not based on the idea that animals are all our friends and we would never eat our friends (as my vegan friend thinks), nor is it based on the above Hebrew proverb (which still doesn't exclude consuming animals), but rather it is based on what makes the most sense sustainably. In which case, I feel like their decision makes sense for them.
 
 

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Comments: 5
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anonymous
Eileen Lorber Oct 31 2012 at 5:09 PM
The working oxen on the Green Mountain College farm should be allowed to live out their lives at the sanctuary. Working animals are different than animals raised for meat. These particular animals have served the college community for over 10 years and deserve retirement rather than slaughter, like old horses would be treated on most farms. Green Mountain College should also be aware and responsive to the negative reputation that is being created. After coverage by NPR, the NY Times and other
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media, the college should take into account public opinion. Over-40,000 people who have signed a petition to save Lou and Bill from slaughter an in this time of war, hurricanes and serious election issues, maybe we are just looking for one feel-good decision. Not unlike the presidential pardoning of a turkey, this decision has the potential to portray the college as kind and humanitarian in their approach, or as cold and selfish, willing to use animals but not willing to give back. The value of the oxen goes beyond the cost of feed and the price of a burger, which undoubtedly will not be very good tasting anyway. There is a bond, as evidenced by the names "Lou and Bill." The administration will not just be eating oxen over this one if they go ahead with their stubborn decision. Before it is over, they will also be eating crow.
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anonymous
Laura Oct 31 2012 at 5:08 PM
Bill and Lou worked for 10 years until one became incapacitated. A VT sanctuary was offered to them--something that hardly ever happens. The outpouring of public feeling in favor of sparing the two mascots would have inspired goodwill; it would have been a rare blessing. Those of us who love all animals rue the fact that anonymous millions are killed every day for humans to eat, and Bill and Lou's reprieve would have given a glimmer of hope, of happiness, of goodwill, of gratitude. Sparing the two
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longtime workers would give the college the opportunity to learn--and teach-- that an increasingly informed public wants input into how animals live and how they are slaughtered. Attitudes are changing. More could have been gained if the college were to spare the animals than remain intransigent. To send them to a sanctuary would have been an exception to the rule, and GMC refuses to relent. In a way this is a metaphor for what's going on in the bigger world--CAFOs and some entrenched farmers refuse to bend one iota when animal defenders ask for the smallest of concessions. In no way does a relatively humane life justify being trucked to the slaughterhouse at the end; it is terrifying to the animals and it is a betrayal, and every student who favored their deaths should bear witness if this is indeed the final decision.
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anonymous
Priyanayaki Oct 31 2012 at 12:57 PM

Furthermore, animals are slaughtered in slaughterhouses which are a terrifying and inhumane ordeal. They should be stopped and replaced with vegetarian lifestyles which honour the sanctity of life.

Genesis 2:29:
"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed... and every tree, in the which is the fruit yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."

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anonymous
Priyanayaki Oct 31 2012 at 12:49 PM
We have no right to take any life that we did not create. Any life that moves, is not for us to take. The ancient Hindu wisdom shows us that animals - and all beings - are part of the indivisible whole, and equal. They are different from humans in that they do not have individual egos. They have souls, just like humans do. Thus, to take their lives before they naturally die is wrong. Killing cows and bulls is considered especially indecent, as these animals love us and provide for us. As well, animals
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are intelligent beings. Taking their lives from them terrifies them and creates more negativity on the planet. When we consume animal flesh, we consume some of their engraved memories at the time of death. While your arguments seem intelligent, we also need to note that following a vegetarian and vegan diet would help alleviate much of the suffering on local, national and global levels. The hunger of communities in Africa is partly perpetuated by the greed of industrialized countries which consume a larger, inequitable share of the world's resources. As it has been said by enlightened souls, there is enough to supply the everyone's needs, but not their wants.
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anonymous
elizabeth Oct 31 2012 at 10:34 AM
thank goodness animals as you call them are not human (we are the furthest from that). They have never done anything to harm us, yet we want to kill them. Dying is normal!!! to take a life is wrong!!!! so call it as you see, but you are DEAD wrong! We were never given the right to kill so to make it seem like there is a 'humane killing' makes me want to throw up! You make it seem that getting old, and getting sick is something that never happens??? This is what happens and it doesn't matter if you
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call them human or not, they have been given the rights the same as man! When you decide to take the life of another, that is when you feel you have become GOD!
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