According to a 2006 industry report, more than 1 million pigs die each year from the horrors of transport alone. Another industry report notes that, in some transport loads, as many as 10 percent of pigs are “downers,” animals who are so ill or injured that they are unable to stand and walk on their own. read more
Generally they can be divided into piglets, which are 1.5 to 3 months old; the fattening pigs, intended for pork and bacon, which are 4 months to one year old; and finally the older pigs, such as sows (female pigs) and boars (uncastrated male pigs). read more
Piglets’ tails are cut off, their teeth are often clipped in half, their ears are mutilated, and males’ testicles may be cut off—all without any pain relief. They’re crammed into pens crowded with many other piglets, where they’re kept until they’re deemed large enough for slaughter. They’re given almost no room to move. read more
Upton Sinclair exposed the bad practices of the meat packing industry almost 100 years ago. All parts of the cow, heads, tail, anything with meat on it, are used to make hot dogs and hamburger. The meat packers are allowed to also use the meat even if rat wastes have contaminated it or if a rat falls into the vat. read more