Animal Abuse in Today's World

Rabbits immobilized in wooden stocks with ulcers in their eyes, baby seals being clubbed over the head, and the infamous shock treatment. Surely you have all witnessed footage of one or all of the aforementioned practices and were appalled by the cruelty. Appalled yes, willing to stand up and voice your thoughts... not often. There is one significant reason for this unwillingness by most to stand up for the rights of our fellow inhabitants of this planet, personal convenience. We are systematically cutting down the last forest that provides their shelter to farm cattle; we dump toxic chemicals and sewage into the waters in which they live; we wear the tusks of the last few of their species on our arms, and we pour cosmetic products into their eyes, rectums or vaginas to determine the harmful effects they might cause on humans, even though the physiological differences between humans and the animals they use are drastic. On a daily basis most people do not see their own degree of unintentional support towards this global dilemma, but hopefully after I am finished here today you too will question how mankind can, with conscience, commit these acts which shame us as human beings. Animals possess the same kinds of feelings and emotions as human beings, and without anesthesia, they are subjected to the pain as well. Mankind often fails to give animals the respect and rights they deserve, they are treated as lifeless, unfeeling scientific specimens: items that we may manipulate at our own convenience, for vanity's sake. Laboratory research involving animals is cruel and merciless treatment of helpless creatures. No law requires that cosmetics and household products be tested on animals. Nevertheless, by six o'clock this evening, hundreds of animals will have had their eyes, skin or gastrointestinal systems unnecessarily burned or destroyed. Two of the most famous animal tests are the Draize, or eye irritancy test and the LD50, Lethal Dose 50. The Draize test is