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Pigs Force-Fed, Publicly Slaughtered In 慞igs Of GodContest
tiffany necklaceThe Environment and Animals Society of Taiwan (EAST) is calling for an end to the annual "Pigs of God" contest in Taiwan, scheduled for August 17, in which pigs are force-fed with the goal of raising the biggest animal, and the pigs are then slaughtered while the public watches.tiffany rings
The animal welfare group raised the plight of the pigs this week at a news conference. They said it takes an average of two years to get the pig ready for competition. Some animals in the contests have been fattened to a weight of more than 900 kilograms, or 1,984 pounds. The pigs are often castrated, without anesthesia, because it is believed it will make them fatter.tiffany bracelet
By the time the contest date comes around, the animals are so large they are incapable of walking or standing, representatives of EAST said. Then, even though ritual slaughter is supposed to have been outlawed by the state, the animals are dragged in front of thousands of people before having their throats cut.
"This competition, which involves animal abuse, should be abandoned," EAST told the Taipei Times after showing a video about the animals. "Most pigs were terrified. They screamed loudly and failed to control their bowels when they were moved to the scales by several people."tiffany cufflinks
EAST has called on the country抯 president, Chen Shui-Bian, to take steps to end the activity, which will take place Sunday, August 17. They are concerned the leader will have one animal killed in his honor.
Representatives of Shui-Bian said the president had not provided any financial support to raising an overweight animal but that he did respect local customs. The competitions are said to be part of the religious beliefs of the Hakkas, an ethnic group with a population of over four million in Taiwan.tiffany charms
EAST is a member organization of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). WSPA head of campaigns Leah Garces told BBC News Online, "We are concerned about the inhumane conditions that are imposed on these intelligent, sentient animals. The cruelty is extraordinary."
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