No excuse for Sentinel
to stand for animal abuse

Copyright © 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.

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The Morning Sentinel's assertion that legislating against the sale of foie gras, a so-called delicacy produced through horrific animal cruelty, has greater implications than "just a bunch of geese" is completely accurate.

Chicago's ban on the sale of this high-end paté made from the diseased livers of ducks and geese force-fed unnatural amounts of food through a pipe thrust down their throats is yet another indicator that the public demands standards in the care of animals, even those raised for food ("Challenging the Food Police," Aug. 15, 2006).

It is demonstrably inhumane to force feed a duck or goose so much corn that the animals' livers swell to 10 times their normal size and a diseased state is induced.

The Morning Sentinel's criticism of the action by policymakers to halt this cruelty is dismissive and is bereft of any compelling argument. Our social taboos against cruelty are not restricted to companion animals or wildlife. Farm animals suffer just as much as other animals, and it is wrong to abuse them in this way for a mere table treat.

Miyun Park

Vice President, Farm Animal Welfare

The Humane Society of the United States

Washington, D.C.

mpark@hsus.org