Farm animals deserve humane treatment

On Feb. 23, the Iowa Senate passed a “puppy mill” bill (House File 2280) designed to improve conditions for dogs and cats at commercial breeding facilities. The bill now goes to Gov. Culver. Since Iowa ranks third nationally in puppy mill animals, this is an important step for many animals. It will allow state officials to respond to specific complaints against federally licensed facilities to see if animals are being treated humanely.

Unfortunately, some legislators, such as Sen, Dick Dearden, see this bill as a threat. The fear is that the next step will be to regulate conditions for raising chickens, pigs and other livestock.

News flash, folks: Farm animals feel pain, just as cats, dogs and people do. Just because they are not someone's pet doesn't mean they don't deserve humane treatment.

I have read about conditions in the factory farms that have replaced most of the family farms in this country. The idyllic conditions that many animals enjoy on Iowa farms are the exception rather than the rule.

If farm animals don't warm your heart like cats and dogs, I ask you to at least investigate the reality of how the steak, chicken or ham got to your plate. I recommend a new book, “Eating Animals,” by Jonathan Safran Foer. It might just change your appetite.

Peggy Kubczak

Mount Vernon