Ryan Gosling To National Milk Federation On Dehorning Calves
Written by Vegetarian Star on April 4th, 2013 in Actors, Animal Issues, Food & Drink.
Ryan Gosling has written a letter to the National Milk Federation that urges the organization to reconsider the practice of dehorning calves.
“Dehorning is one of the most painful things done to cows on dairy farms, whether it is by burning a calf with a searing hot iron or applying caustic paste to create a chemical burn that eats away at the animal’s flesh,” writes Gosling.
“As recognized in your FARM Program’s standards, the pain of the removal procedure is even worse once horns start to develop and take root in a calf’s skull. Workers use sharp tools—including saws, sharp wires, or gruesome guillotine dehorners, which may also cut into the surrounding skin—to cut the horns out of an animal’s skull. Calves struggle frantically, bellowing in pain, thrashing, and sometimes collapsing to the ground, and workers restrain them manually or put their heads in a metal apparatus to hold them by their necks.”
The dairy industry insists the practice is helpful as it reduces the likelihood of injuries to humans and other cows.
The American Veterinary Medical Organization recognizes that there may be some benefits to this, but the practice is not currently regulated.
Animal welfare advocates say the practice is often done at an inappropriate age and not accompanied by painkillers.
Photo: Tom Sorensen/Creative Commons
Possibly Related Posts:
- Jon Stewart and Wife Tracey Stewart Adopt Horse
- Chrissy Teigen Failed Vegan Experiment
- Mia Evans Is A “Masterchef Junior” Vegetarian Star
- Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Elephants Retire To Sanctuary
- Holly Madison Enjoys Vegan Smoothie From M Cafe In Beverly Hills
