Schoolkids vote to send lamb to slaughter

[Lyon_Wonder]

This is in the UK.

LONDON (Reuters) – A group of schoolchildren who reared a lamb from birth and named it Marcus has overridden objections by parents and rights activists and voted to send the animal to slaughter.
Marcus the six-month-old lamb has now been culled, the head teacher of the primary school in Kent confirmed on Monday, after the school's council -- a 14-member group of children aged 6 to 11 -- voted 13-1 to have him killed.
The decision has provoked fury among animal-loving celebrities, animal and human rights campaigners and the parents of some of the children, and led to threats against Lydd primary school and its teachers, according to a member of staff.
Around 250 children at the school take part in a program designed to teach them about rearing and breeding animals.


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090914/od_nm/us_sheep_odd

 

[SmoothieX]

Part of breeding farm animals is the fact that many of them will be slaughtered for their meat, hides, etc. I think it's important for people to understand where their diet comes from.

Somebody gets lamb chops and a sweater out of the deal. It's not like they took it out back and all took turns stabbing it for fun.

 

[JustKate]

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

But really, ought this be that shocking? Maybe it is in England, but here in the U.S...well, when a 4-H kid raises a pig or a steer - and I don't know how many children participate in 4-H livestock programs, but the answer is "many" - everybody knows it's not going to end up as a pet.

 

[TrekkieMonster]

I agree with both of the above comments. I'm an animal lover, but I also grew up in farm country and around livestock and -- heaven forbid -- hunting for food. I think it's important for people to understand that lamb chops don't come pre-packaged like tofu-mcnuggets or something.

One of my nieces became a vegetarian (for a couple of years) after learning where her beloved steaks (followed by boneless skinless chicken breasts, pork chops, etc.) came from. I applauded her for her convictions. But, it's hard to make an informed decision on such things if all you ever see is pink meat on Styrofoam trays wrapped in cellophane.

If you're going to eat it, you should know how it gets to your table, IMHO.

 

[cultcross]

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

I agree, I think this is excellent educationally and has been a valuable lesson for the kids.

Maybe it is in England, but here in the U.S...well, when a 4-H kid raises a pig or a steer - and I don't know how many children participate in 4-H livestock programs, but the answer is "many" - everybody knows it's not going to end up as a pet.

The difference is here the answer would be "few". Outside the farming counties, few kids will have much exposure to husbandry.

 

[JustKate]

If you're going to eat it, you should know how it gets to your table, IMHO.

Yeah. I mean, I understand becoming a vegetarian if you believe eating animals is wrong. In fact, I'd go so far as to say you ought to become a vegetarian if that's how you feel. But eating meat while pretending it's not really an animal...well, modern life makes that possible, but that doesn't make it right, IMO.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Well, I'm impressed that the children understand and accept it so readily and I'm somewhat dismayed that the parents, animal lovers etc don't.

I count myself an "animal lover", and find absolutely nothing wrong with humane slaughter of animals for food, etc. It is simply natural.

I mean, people are protesting "human rights" violation because children were educated in where their food comes from? My goodness. None of these people grew up on a farm, that's for sure.

 

[trekkiedane]

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

They aren't stupid, most of them knows it comes from some sort of factory -called abattoir- and wrapped in plastic

But; yeah, me too! Impressed by the kids wanting meat on their plates rather than a pet of sorts.

 

[Lookingglassman]

I dont eat lamb so I feel sorry for it.

 

[Holdfast]

Good for the kids.

 

[Maestro]

As far as "how it works in the US," this post is particularly brilliant, and having lived and taught all my life in rural farm towns, I'm with JustKate, and just not really seeing the issue.

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

But really, ought this be that shocking? Maybe it is in England, but here in the U.S...well, when a 4-H kid raises a pig or a steer - and I don't know how many children participate in 4-H livestock programs, but the answer is "many" - everybody knows it's not going to end up as a pet.

Imagine if PETA and so-called "animal rights" celebrities reared up about 4-H or FFA groups doing this in the US! They'd be slaughtered. It's not only how it goes here, but many of these kids count on the sales of their animals to butchers to keep participating in these programs, and also to help fund their post secondary educations.

 

[JustKate]

As far as "how it works in the US," this post is particularly brilliant, and having lived and taught all my life in rural farm towns, I'm with JustKate, and just not really seeing the issue.

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

But really, ought this be that shocking? Maybe it is in England, but here in the U.S...well, when a 4-H kid raises a pig or a steer - and I don't know how many children participate in 4-H livestock programs, but the answer is "many" - everybody knows it's not going to end up as a pet.

Imagine if PETA and so-called "animal rights" celebrities reared up about 4-H or FFA groups doing this in the US! They'd be slaughtered. It's not only how it goes here, but many of these kids count on the sales of their animals to butchers to keep participating in these programs, and also to help fund their post secondary educations.

I'm sorry to tell you that PETA has protested at state and county fairs, including 4-H livestock sales. There haven't been any violent protests or anything like that, as far as I know (not here in Indiana, anyway), but there has apparently been some picketing, reportedly as recently as this summer. I've only seen one protest myself, and it was at the state fair a few years back, but it was low-key, as such things go. A couple of people just stood up in the stands with a large banner and were (politely, as far as I could tell) escorted away from the sale. It looked to me as though they were simply hoping to get on TV (the sale was televised back then), since I couldn't really see what else they hoped to accomplish, but perhaps I do them an injustice.

 

[Squiggy]

Outside the farming counties, few kids will have much exposure to husbandry.

Perverts.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Good for the kids.

Sucks for the lamb!

But really, it just shows that kids are more mature and understanding of life than most adults.

 

[JustKate]

They can be disconcertingly realistic, too. In my experience, anyway.

 

[Count Zero]

Did they watch it being slaughtered? Because that's the real deal breaker in my opinion. I once went to see the movie 'Roger and Me'. There's a scene in this movie where a rabbit is being killed. I was probably the only vegetarian in the room, but most of the people were appalled by what they saw, even though it's the same thing that happens to the animals they eat. I think it would be quite educational for the kids to see how exactly their meat is produced.
In the meantime, I applaud the kid who voted against having the lamb slaughtered.

 

[JustKate]

I applaud anybody who voted his conscience.

By the way, I have seen my own meat killed, although admittedly not often. For one thing, we slaughtered chickens once (or twice - not sure now) when I was kid. I can't say I enjoyed it - what a messy, tedious business, and it really made me appreciate the supermarket a LOT - but I can't say as I really felt any remorse for the chickens. I might feel differently now, I realize, though I doubt it.

 

[Brutal Strudel]

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

I agree, I think this is excellent educationally and has been a valuable lesson for the kids.

And a valuable lesson in hypocrisy, since I doubt many of the people screaming and crying are vegans.

Anyway, I can only hope the kids also voted to let Barabbas, the school's goat, go free.

 

[ShamelessMcBundy]

Part of breeding farm animals is the fact that many of them will be slaughtered for their meat, hides, etc. I think it's important for people to understand where their diet comes from.

I agree. It's good that they know the process of where our food comes from.

I'm pretty impressed, actually, that so many of them have figured out the reason why animals are raised and are comfortable with that idea. Most people prefer to pretend that meat appears on their plates magically.

I am also impressed. They know what will happen and voted accordingly. Good for them.

 

[Azlynn]

I'm vegetarian, and I'm okay with it. They should know where their food comes from, what impact it has on the environment, and then make their decisions. It was raised to be food, end of story.

My students are fairly bloodthirsty, and I know they'd make the same decision.