Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters
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Factory Farming More Than 150 Billion Animals Slaughtered Every Year: Animal Kill Counter It's a message that can no longer be ignored: killing animals is killing the planet. End the Cage Age - Make farming rabbits in cages illegal! Update 2017! Campaign 2016: Animals Are Not Freight; update 2018, 2019 Global Awareness Campaign "The most violent
weapon on earth is the table fork." Mahatma Gandhi "But for the sake of some little mouthful of flesh we deprive a soul of the sun and light, and of that proportion of life and time she had been born into the world to enjoy." Plutarch "Now I can look at you in peace; I don't eat you anymore." Franz Kafka “Flesh eating is unprovoked murder.” Benjamin Franklin The march of human progress is strewn with dead animals. This horrible suffering occurs, one has to remind oneself, primarily because we enjoy the taste of meat; and because our appetites are financially profitable. Knowing the cost of everything & the value of nothing. Volume & profit are the key drivers of commerce/business with animals expendable production machines. "If man wants freedom why keep birds and animals in cages? Truly man is the king of beasts, for his brutality exceeds them. We live by the death of others. We are burial places! I have since an early age abjured the use of meat." Leonardo da Vinci "Isn't man an amazing animal? He kills wildlife - birds, kangaroos, deer. all kinds of cats, coyotes, beavers, groundhogs, mice, foxes, and dingoes - by the millions in order to protect his domestic animals and their feed. Then he kills domestic animals by the billions and eats them. This in turn kills man by the millions, because eating all those animals leads to degenerative and fatal health conditions like heart disease, kidney, and cancer. So then man tortures and kills millions more animals to look for cures for these diseases. Elsewhere, millions of other human beings are being killed by hunger and malnutrition because food they could eat is being used to fatten domestic animals. Meanwhile, some people are dying of sad laughter at the absurdity of man, who kills so easily and so violently, and once a year sends out a card praying for 'Peace on Earth'." C. David Coates from the preface of his book: Old MacDonald's Factory Farm Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals Promoting the welfare of farm animals and the banning of sow stalls and battery cages in Canada. Support the Right to Rescue Help the whistleblowers facing prison time for exposing factory farm abuses and rescuing suffering animals. Gail A. Eisnitz - Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry It’s well documented that slaughterhouse workers often experience a form of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. As these workers are increasingly being treated for PTSD, researchers are finally starting to systematically explore the results of killing sentient animals for a living. Heartbreaking videos of animals at the slaughterhouse: This helpless calf is terrified since he knows what lies ahead. He can hear screams, and more importantly, he can smell the blood since cows have an excellent sense of smell. https://www.kinderworld.org/videos/meat-industry/calf-begging-abattoir-worker-not-to-kill/ Kinder World In their eyes there was love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. January 18, 2017 France Passes Bill Mandating Cameras for Every Single Slaughterhouse By 2018, each one of them will be equipped with CCTV. L214’s video of the horrors is largely responsible for this breakthrough. April 18, 2017 Thousands of farm animals suffering cruelty and neglect before being slaughtered 2022 CANADA ANIMAL KILL CLOCK https://www.animalclock.org/ca/ Animals on Farms in Canada - Animal Justice Many standard and “generally accepted” farm practices are exempt from provincial animal welfare laws, meaning that practices that would be illegal if done to a dog or cat are completely legal when done to a pig, cow, chicken, or other farmed animal.
Life Behind Bars pdf Hallmark convicted of horrendous animal cruelty, Chino, CA; Butterball evil; undercover footage Swine flu by any other name is still swine flu; Hallmark; confinement & disease; avian flu on Fraser Valley farms; world markets enact trade bans; flu spreads to WA; OR; across Midwest; Ontario; 2018 African Swine Fever spreading uncontrollably in China & Vietnam; 2023 H5N1 deadly
Auditor General asked to review CFIA; GF2; driving change, options for the future; animal welfare
Canadian farm animal transport laws atrocious; Health of Animals Regulations; Compromised Animals Policy; comparing the US, Europe, & Canada's transport reg's; truck fire, 1000s of chickens perish, SK piglets die in truck crash; 2019 update Gov't bows to industry
March 25, 2020 Coronavirus a 'Clear Warning Shot' From Nature to Humanity, Top Scientists Say Ending the exploitation of animals is one of the biggest actions humankind can take to protect itself against future pandemics. Plant Based Treaty Its three core principles: Relinquish Respect Restore. MEAT = ANIMAL CRUELTY = MURDER
Take a strong stand - say
no
to meat and
ALL
animal products.
Everybody wins!
It’s a twisted world in which violence, bloodshed, and carnism is the norm and compassion and veganism is ridiculed as extremism. Toronto Pig Save - Stand with Anita - Compassion Isn't A Crime! *********************** Toronto Chicken Save Toronto Cow Save List of Animal Save Movements **************** October 14, 2015: Compassion isn’t criminal. Anita Krajnc is in Court in Milton, Ontario, facing criminal mischief charges under $5,000 for giving water to pigs en route to slaughter. Unbelievable! It’s animal agriculture that is one of the biggest crimes in history. Tens of billions of sentient beings, each with complex sensations and emotions, live and die on a production line, and we are solely responsible for this horror. What does this say about us? “Offering water to a thirsty pig is an act of compassion. It is not only a right, but a duty we all share. Causing the pigs to suffer in the first place is what is wrong,” said Anita Krajnc, an organizer with Toronto Pig Save. “I face these criminal charges with dignity, knowing that truth and justice are on my side.” Update: Around the globe, activists mobilized and began holding solidarity vigils in support of Krajnc. Well-known organizations like PETA are standing with her, as are celebrities like Jane Velez-Mitchell and Moby. People from all walks of life have come together, united in this fight for justice, and the media can’t get enough. It is history in the making!
World Day for Farmed Animals was launched in 1983, and takes place on or about October 2nd. Get active. Sacrificing moral values on the altar of economic gain.
World Animal Day encompasses all animals and is held on October 4th.
BC slaughterhouses; licensing; meat inspection regulations; Salt Spring Island abattoir; Pitt Meadows Meats E.coli case coverup; cruelty; 2023 another covert operation Industry must be held accountable for routinely sacrificing animal welfare in the relentless pursuit of profit. Vancouver Island farmers want stricter laws for dangerous dogs after livestock killed *************************** June 10, 2015 In Australia, more than 2,500,000 sheep, cattle, and goats have died on live export ships since 1981. (Source: SAFE condemns massive live sheep export to Mexico) November 25, 2019 Romania tries to rescue 14,600 trapped sheep on capsized vessel. They were destined for Saudi Arabia and nearly every one of these poor animals drowned. It is unconscionable that these death ships are still in existence today, yet governments permit it – all in the relentless pursuit of profits and greed. For Dr. Lynn Simpson’s full archive of shocking exposés into the livestock trades, click here. **********NB: In June of 2016 Dr. Lynn Simpson was removed for exposing cruel conditions on live export ships. (Source: ABC News, AU) September 3, 2020 A ship carrying 5,867 cattle and 43 crew members from New Zealand to China capsized in stormy weather. Wellington suspended all live exports in the wake of the incident. New Zealand has placed a web of restrictions on the export of livestock for slaughter for years, effectively outlawing the trade. But many live animals are sent abroad for breeding. Ultimately, this loathsome trade must be banned in its entirety! Animals International We are calling on global decision-makers to oppose live animal export worldwide. https://www.animalsinternational.org/take_action/live-export-global/ Take action!! March 22, 2021 More than 1,600 cattle on second Spanish cattle ship to be killed MADRID (Reuters) - Spain on Monday ordered the slaughter of 1,610 cattle which have been stuck aboard the Elbeik livestock ship since December, just weeks after hundreds of cattle on another vessel met a similar fate. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spain-cattle-idUSKBN2BE2MJ The live animal export trade is a horrific nightmare. Our shameful and gross inhumanity. March 2021 Suez Canal Situation Highlights Atrocious Animal Trade, With 200K Animals Stuck On Ships https://www.animalvictory.org/suez_canal_situation_highlights_atrocious_animal_trade_with_200k_animals_stuck_on_ships? Please join us as we petition the European Parliament to bring an end to live animal export! ****************************** Canada ships live pigs to Hawaii; more updates; ban live exports, 2019 Stats Canada data Canada to sell 10,000 dairy cattle to Vietnam, live animal export news, stats, Cdn. Meat Council Breeding pigs from Canada go to China; reform export laws! cruelty charges laid Israel Canadian Cattle, Sheep and Goats to be exported to Philippines; gov't growing the export market Codes of Practice fail to protect farm animals; NFACC Reports; Timelines & updates; NFAHWC; Maple Lodge inhumanity, misleads consumers, complaint filed; BC chicken farms sadistic cruelty 2017; Fraser Valley hens buried, trapped in feces 2018
2021: Provincial and territorial legislation concerning farm animal welfare Dec. 2017 Canada ranked 45th out of 50 countries in animal cruelty index; updates Voiceless index (VACI) Canada’s Health of Animals Regulations
Barn fires in Canada claim thousands of lives July 26, 2011 I can’t fathom the sheer terror and pain these animals went through before tragically losing their lives. Insurance coverage will assess a monetary value for the producer’s loss. How terribly sad that these animals are regarded as nothing more than mere commodities. Please keep fighting for the rights of our animal friends. From CETFA: January 7, 2011 20,000 rabbits and 4,000 piglets burn alive in QC January 22, 2011 70 dairy cows burn alive in QC
January 24, 2011 35 cattle
burn alive in ON
February 26, 2011
7,000 turkeys burn alive in SK
March 5, 2011 300
pigs burn alive in QC March 18, 2011 125 beef cattle burn alive in QC March 23, 2011 16,000 chickens burn alive in MB March 31, 2011 2,000 pigs burn alive in AB May 21, 2011 4,000 pigs burn alive in MB June 7, 2011 30,000 hens burn alive in AB July 22, 2011 12,000 chickens burn alive in MB July 24, 2011 600 pigs burn alive in AB July 25, 2011 650 pigs burn alive in ON November 21, 2011 In just the last 4 weeks, 5 barn fires in Ontario have claimed the lives of nearly 4,300 animals. 2,700 pigs burned alive on October 16, followed by fires at 3 different "dairy" operations on November 5, 15 and 20, which killed 95 cows. On November 15, 1,500 turkeys burned alive. The total number of animal lives lost in Canada to barn fires to date totals over 101,000 animals. March 19, 2012 18,000 chickens burn alive in Abbotsford, BC March 4, 2014 update: Tragically, about 1,300 pigs perished in a fire in Huron County, Ontario. One can only imagine the sheer terror and agony of these helpless victims as they were burned alive, desperate to escape the flames. Amending the codes to require sprinklers and smoke control systems has long been discussed. April 1, 2014 3,500 pigs die in barn fire near Lanigan, Sask. Comment: It takes a mere three to four minutes to fill a barn with smoke when a fire starts. The whole structure will be engulfed within six minutes. Farmers/producers have an ethical obligation to protect the animals whose lives they have exclusive control over. Yet financial and economic interests are always number one, and that’s how the value of these lives lost is measured. So what can you do? The best thing that will have the most impact is to adopt a plant-based diet. At long last, the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes, with advice from the Provincial/Territorial Policy Advisory Committee on Codes, has agreed to work on updating the requirements for large farm buildings with a view to incorporating these updates into the 2015 National Building and National Fire Codes. For information, contact the Chair & Members, Standing Committee on Fire Prevention. codes@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca Carmina Gooch's letter to the Commission. It includes an expanded list of farmed animals who suffered terribly before perishing in barn fires. Update: I have not received the courtesy of a response. February 28, 2017 Since January, 2016, media reports account for at least 30,000 pigs, cows, horses, sheep, goats, ducks and chickens killed in barn fires across the country, mostly in Ontario. Philip Rizcallah of the National Research Council says the committee in charge of the National Farm Building Code (a non-mandatory model code provinces can adopt and adapt based on needs) is currently working on updates that will enhance fire safety by 2020. The primary objective of those updates, however, will be the protection of human occupants, he says, adding, “As a secondary benefit, asset protection may be realized.” By assets, he means live animals. As long as our society continues to regard farmed animals as nothing more than property, then industry classifications like “low human occupancy” will persist to allow farmers to dismiss animals as unworthy of protection from horrific harms like fire. Regulations and laws respond to evolving values and concerns within society. Speak up and take action to give them a voice! July 7, 2014 Fire rips through Bentley Hutterite pig barn, killing over 4,000 Comment: The unbearable fear and terror these pigs must have felt being trapped and helpless in cruel quarters is unfathomable. And then the audacity and cold-heartedness of the fire services coordinator to refer to them as objects - “anything”, “not sure if they can be used later,” – commodities for human utility. They were living, feeling beings!! No sorrow at all - a complete disconnect. Sadly, exploiting animals is so ingrained in our culture that most of us are untouched as to these tragedies. The repercussions are great. Let me say it openly: we are surrounded by an enterprise of degradation, cruelty, and killing which rivals anything the Third Reich was capable of, indeed dwarfs it, in that ours is an enterprise without end, self-regenerating, bringing rabbits, rats, poultry, livestock ceaselessly into the world for the purpose of killing them. J. M. Coetzee August 12, 2014 300 cows die in Quebec barn fire January 19, 2015 Yet more barn fires claim innocent lives. It’s a harrowing way to die and enabled by factory farming. In southern Ontario, a massive barn fire killed hundreds of pigs, while in Todd County, Minnesota, about 19,000 4-week-old turkey chicks were killed. (Sources: The London Free Press & KARE 11 News) March 25, 2015 1,500 hogs die in barn fire at Manitoba pork producer HyLife; please sign petition; Jan./18 new petition March 31, 2015 Pigs, sheep die in barn fire near Keswick Ontario: More lives lost in yet another barn fire. Two pigs and a number of sheep perished as fire tore through the building on Ravencrest Road near Keswick. Source: CTV News June 14, 2015 Fire destroys Richelieu Valley dairy barn More than 200 dairy cows were killed in a late night fire in St-Denis-sur-Richelieu, south of Montreal. The fire began around 10 p.m. in a barn that housed about 250 animals. Barely a dozen of the cows survived. Source: CBC News Comment: How these cows must have panicked and suffered before succumbing to a horrible death. Why haven't the fire codes been updated? If so many human lives were lost, you can bet charges would be laid. Green Oaks Dairy Farm fire battled by multiple crews June 29, 2015 CBC News excerpt (Nova Scotia) It's a devastating day for a family in Colchester County operating a dairy farm in Green Oaks after a fire broke out shortly after 9 a.m. on Monday. Firefighters from eight departments were called to the commercial dairy barn, about 20 kilometres south of Truro, after the Green Oaks Dairy Farm caught fire. More than six tanker trucks hauled in water from several kilometres away at the Shubenacadie River. The milking herd didn't make it out of the barn, which has since collapsed. The number of cattle that died has not been confirmed. Some heifers were in a separate area and survived. Family members and friends consoled each other near the charred remains of the building. Just in the past year, almost 60,000 animals have burned alive in barn fires in Canada Fire destroys barn with 430 turkeys at Rockport Hutterite Colony August 27, 2015 Lethbridge Herald excerpt A new barn could rise this fall on the New Rockport Colony near New Dayton, to replace one lost to a fire Tuesday afternoon. An estimated 430 turkeys were lost during the blaze, but a colony elder says there were no injuries. Adjacent barns are used to raise broiler chickens and ducks as well as turkeys, the elder pointed out. “We’re fortunate that nothing further was lost.” Comment: No injuries? How about the 430 turkeys who suffered an agonizing death? Time after time we hear of these tragedies, yet it’s still legal to cram animals into unsafe quarters with no accountability. Just last year about 4,000 pigs perished when fire tore through a Hutterite barn in Bentley, Alberta. September 7, 2015 CTV News 22,000 chickens killed in Oxford County barn fire (Zorro Township, Ontario) Comment: Yet another heartbreaking tragedy and nothing’s being done by the animal agriculture industry or our politicians to prevent such calamities. As individuals, we can boycott the industry.September 28, 2015 Yet another tragic consequence of factory farming. Two large barns in the Bradner community of Abbotsford holding an indeterminate number of chickens burned to the ground. The cause of the fire is unknown. Update: Up to 60,000 chickens dead! Isn’t this enough for us to come to our senses and end this madness? In 2012, 18,000 chickens perished in a 50x300-foot barn on Ross Road in Abbotsford. October 13, 2015 In the news again – a barn fire. This time it claimed the lives of 300 sheep as well as some cattle and pigs in Haldimand county, Southern Ontario. (Source: chch.com) January 4, 2016 Brome Lake Ducks fire could have been worse, says Valcourt, Que., fire chief. A fire that killed 50,000 Pekin ducks on New Year's Day in Quebec's Eastern Townships could have been twice as bad, according to the local fire chief. When firefighters from the Valcourt, Que., fire department reached the building, they were faced with a stressful situation. There were two buildings: one, completely ablaze, and the other, full of 50,000 live ducks. Fortunately, the flames did not reach the second building with another 50,000 ducks inside. (Source: CBC News) Comment: These poor ducks, tightly crammed together, were the victims of grotesque inhumanity and profound suffering that is standard throughout the animal agriculture industry. January 15, 2016 News media stories report 13 horses have perished in a Mount Forest, Ont., barn fire. A person who answered the telephone at the Mount Forest property said all horses were Arabian. This fire follows one on January 4 at Classy Lane Stables in Puslinch, southern Ontario, in which 43 standardbred horses died in a stable fire. Co-owner Jamie Millier said the economic impact reached deep into the close-knit, horse-oriented community. Comments like this one speak volumes about those in the horse racing industry. No concern was expressed about the horrific manner in which their lives ended. Additionally, the only fire prevention equipment in the building were some fire extinguishers. Every year thousands of farm animals, including over 140,000 last year alone, die in barn fires that could have been averted. Common sense should dictate that proper fire safety and prevention measures are mandatory for all barns before we hear of another deadly tragedy. January 17, 2016 About 500 milking goats perished in a barn fire near Delaware in Middlesex Centre, Ontario. Another 30 head of cattle also died. The fire moved quickly, leaving these poor animals no chance to survive. Meanwhile, owners collect insurance for their losses. Why isn’t industry being held to account? While the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office does not gather records of animal injuries/deaths in fires, it does, however, document annual barn fire information. One-hundred-fifty barn fires were recorded for the year 2014. Of these barn fires, 45 per cent involved animals. In 2013 and 2012, records were very similar and no red flags jumped out from any of the statistics. January 19, 2016 Outrageous! At least 2,000 pigs have been killed following a barn fire in North Middlesex, north of London, Ont., early Tuesday morning. Demand government take action & make proper fire prevention systems mandatory in all barns. In reality, the entire system of using animals as resources is wrong. It’s time to end it. January 23, 2016 No sooner had we written to politicians and other relevant agencies regarding barn fires, we hear of yet another one. Just north of Stratford, close to 200 of the approximately 2,000 pigs inside did not make it out alive. February 1, 2016 In St. Thomas, Ontario it’s been reported that 85 dairy cows perished in a barn blaze, while 10 or 15 cows escaped.
February 19, 2016 A barn fire near Hensell, Ontario, has left 300 sows dead, along with 700 smaller pigs. These fires must be thoroughly investigated by the Fire Marshall to determine cause. If the fire and consequent animal suffering were caused by negligence, animal cruelty charges must be considered. February 25, 2016 Yet another barn fire has killed 50 cows and 20 calves, this time in Brockton, Ontario. Will there ever be justice for the innocents? Man’s inhumanity is staggering. April 1, 2016 Yet another tragedy. This time 25 sheep perished in a P.E.I barn fire. Fire chief, Jason Blackman said there was no way they could have got the sheep out of the 40-by-50 square foot barn alive. And on March 27th, 44 cows lost their lives after a powerful blaze tore through a Maryhill, Ontario dairy barn. April 19, 2016 At least 100 cows perish in $1M fire at Tecumseh dairy farm. The fire started with a straw shredding machine that makes straw finer for the cows’ bedding. Approximately 225 cattle were inside, said Tecumseh fire prevention officer Bob Hamilton. In a subsequent news item, firefighters relay how they struggle with the effects of such a traumatic and catastrophic event. May 30, 2016 About 50 cows perished in yet another deadly barn fire, this time just north of Waterloo, ON. July 17, 2016 (ON) Around 50 cows were killed in a massive blaze that consumed a barn on a Thorold farm. Firefighters managed to get some 20 cows out. The rest died in the fire, and cows could be heard screaming as the blaze consumed the barn. (Source: Global News) August 10, 2016 A massive fire at Harman Poultry north of Prince Albert, Sask., kills 7,500 egg-producing hens. Cam Broten, executive director of the Saskatchewan Egg Producers, said “people don't need to be concerned a shortage of eggs on grocery store shelves.” Sadly, sentient beings are regarded as mere production units for the industry. 2016: National Fire Protection Ass’n New barn fire safety checklist January 31, 2017 According to various media outlets, an estimated 4,000 pigs were killed in a massive barn fire near Sarnia, Ont. For years, politicians have declined to take action and mandate barn codes be updated. Sadly, powerful industry interests take precedence over animal welfare. In the race to the bottom, animal agriculture wins, hands down. Consumers can make a difference by boycotting such inhumanity. February 13, 2017 Another day, another heartbreak in the inhumane, immoral, and brutal animal agriculture industry. Between 5,000 - 6,000 chickens have perished as a result of a massive fire that broke out at a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Monday morning. The blaze tore through one barn and damaged another on Tolmie Road. The 5,000 chickens in the second fire survived. February 15, 2017 47 cows are dead after fire ripped through a barn on a Gatineau dairy farm early this morning. They died of smoke inhalation. A total of186 cows were housed in three barns when the fire broke out. Politicians have repeatedly declined to take action and mandate barn codes be updated. Surely, they bear some responsibility for these tragedies. March 8, 2017 1,000 animals die in fire at pig farm in Saint-Robert in the Montérégie, Quebec. March 24, 2017 Roughly 500 pigs perished in barn fire in Seaforth, ON. “Huron East fire chief Marty Bedard said the floor heated up-it then melted-resulting in several pigs falling into the manure held underneath the barn.” Horrific.
We’ve once again contacted politicians and other officials reminding them that producers are compensated by government subsidies, bailouts, taxpayer dollars, and insurance. This government, and previous ones, have been shameful in their abdication of duties, working alongside powerful corporate interests, while setting aside animal welfare reforms. June 9, 2017 Almost 4,000 pigs burned to death in the evening hours of June 8, trapped in a barn in Manitoba. The barn was located in “hog alley” near Bothwell, in southeast Manitoba — the same area currently experiencing an outbreak of porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED). The timing and location of this most recent barn fire is certainly raising eyebrows, causing many to ask whether producers, faced with an expensive quarantine and clean up, are instead taking their chances with insurance. It could very well be. Something’s not sitting right. August 1, 2017 An estimated 1,000 piglets are dead after a barn fire in Oxford, county, SW Ontario and days later, on August 10th, approximately 4,000 pigs tragically lost their lives. The Canadian agricultural sector, the Canadian Codes Centre, and our government all bear responsibility for their failure to provide even minimal protections for farmed animals in this country. November 12, 2017 Another devastating barn fire in Steinbach, Manitoba, killing 7,500 pigs – most of which were piglets. Together, the three barns held a total of 3,000 female pigs and 6,000 piglets. This is an epidemic! Factory farming is unconscionable, and industry is getting away with murder. NB: The NFACC recently announced that it will include information about barn fire prevention in every newly drafted species code and this was in response to public pressure, not industry or government. November 17, 2017 About 130 animals, mainly cows, are dead after a barn fire at a large dairy farm north of Edmonton. From calves to cows and beef animals, including some 4H animals, the farm has about 550 residents. (Source: Global News) January 9, 2018 A massive blaze in Perth County, (SW ON) has destroyed a barn and killed over 1,800 pigs. The small pigs were worth between $75 and $100 each. Two days earlier about 150 pigs perished in a barn fire in Wellesley. If you stop buying, they’ll stop dying. Animal agriculture is an unnecessary, disturbing, and savage, with economic interests surmounting those of animals every time.
Some interesting reading: Corporate Hog Barns and the Threat to Public Health, the Environment and Rural Communities. April 12, 2018 Close to 14,000 baby chickens died in a Port Coquitlam (BC) barn fire. The sheet-metal clad structure was fully involved when firefighters arrived. The fire chief noted that there was a lot of flammable material inside the building, like wood and straw. Since industry and government clearly don’t consider such a massive loss of life a major issue, we, as consumers, can take decisive action by refusing to buy animal products. May 29, 2018 Over 3,000 Pigs Burned to Death at Infamous #PigTrial Van Boekel Farm. The Oxford County barn has burned down with 3000 sows and an “undetermined number of other pigs” trapped inside. Although the OPP say the fire is not suspicious, the Ontario Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate. In June 2015, Eric Van Boekel called authorities to arrest Anita Krajnc for giving water to pigs from his farm being transported to Fearman’s Pork slaughterhouse. June 5, 2018 Approximately 12,000 pigs (1,200 sows) and piglets (10,800) perished in a barn fire northwest of Rosetown, Saskatchewan, Friday, June 1st. Firefighters and RCMP were not allowed on site. The fire could be seen from seven to eight km away. The production facility, known as Eagle Creek Farm, is owned by Quebec meat production company Olymel. Casey Smit, vp of swine production for Olymel's Western Canada division said the facility had no sprinkler systems. In April, 2014, 3,500 pigs also burned to death at OlySky near Lanigan, Sask., also owned by food processing giant Olymel. Barn fires can be avoided and are just another manifestation of a broken system. This would never happen if it were people. July 30, 2018 A reply from Iain Stewart, President of the National Research Council of Canada, was sent to Ms. Gooch in response to her email of June 12th, regarding updates to barn building codes. Barn fires are preventable. Far too many animals have suffered tremendously before perishing. Reply excerpt: The National Model Codes are overseen by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes (CCBFC) – an independent committee of experts that was established by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). They are also the experts responsible for the National Farm Code. The CCBFC recently decided to take requirements from the 1995 National Farm Code (fire safety, structural safety, etc.) and incorporate them into the National Building and Fire Codes. The Model Code development process allows any Canadian can submit requested Code changes or amendments through the CCBFC. Suggestions can be submitted through the code change request. The CCBFC develops the Model Codes; however, it is the Provinces and Territories who are responsible for adopting and enforcing them. The updated National Building and Fire Codes, including barn safety measures, will be released to the Provinces and Territories in 2020. September 20, 2018 Three cows were lost in a large barn fire that broke out in Agassiz, B.C., overnight, according to fire officials. The blaze started in a bunker silo at a property. 40 firefighters fought the blaze. It could have been so much worse. October 13, 2018 Nearly 30,000 chicks are dead after a fire burned through a barn in Sheffield Mills, Nova Scotia. November 7, 2018 Mount Forest, Ontario: 350 goats, 20 rabbits and two horses killed in massive barn fire. December 11, 2018 A massive fire consumed a pig barn in Quinte West, Ont., Tuesday, killing at least 1,300 animals. Fire Chief John Whelan said about 100 animals were rescued from the blaze, but the structure became unsafe and he had to get firefighters out of harm's way and couldn't save any more animals. "It was hard to deal with; we heard a lot of the animals screeching and crying," he said. We couldn’t agree more– it’s absolutely heartbreaking. February 8, 2019 Fire crews in Pitt Meadows, B.C., dealt with multiple fires on Friday, including a large blaze that killed more than two dozen cattle. Fire spread to a barn after initially igniting in a smaller structure that housed calves, killing all but one of them. April 30, 2019 Barn fire in Wellesley, Ontario. Tragically, 50 cattle and 400 pigs were killed in the blaze. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined. August 12, 2019 Global News About 800 of 1,000 cows perished as a massive fire tore through Pennwood Dairy, a factory farm located near Steinbach, Manitoba. The terrified animals were unable to escape from the multiple barns.The fire came as the dairy farm was reportedly preparing to expand its herd to 1,700 cattle. The fire is under investigation. UPDATE: There are reports that none of the cattle survived. March 10, 2020 Landmark report sounds the alarm on barn fires in Canada A report by the Humane Society International/Canada says better fire protection is needed in barns to stop the cruel deaths of tens of thousands of farm animals each year. The humane society has combed through media reports and the few government sources available and estimates that at least 750,000 animals have died in barn fires since 2015. That number is likely to be low. Here's a list of which animals died most often in barn fires between 2015 and 2019. Chickens by far, and pigs top the list. Chickens: 551,261 Pigs: At least 109,081 Ducks: 54,011 Turkeys: 12,979 Cows: At least 10,010 Sheep: 1,871 Goats and pygmy goats: At least 1,449 Horses and ponies: 199 Boars: 140 Exotic animals, fish, cats, dogs, rabbits, quails, guinea fowls, oxen, golden pheasants, alpacas, donkeys, roosters, llamas: 426 Unidentified: 133 To read and/or download the report, click here. ########
October 26, 2014 - US News Truman, Minnesota: Roughly 4,000 sows and 6,000-7,000 piglets were killed in a massive barn fire. Earlier this month, a fire in a North Carolina factory farm killed 4,200 piglets. Sadly, factory farm fires are not one-time incidents. Over 400,000 animals have needlessly died this year alone in factory farm fires!! (Source: HSUS) January 19, 2015 Yet more barn fires claim innocent lives. It’s a harrowing way to die and enabled by factory farming. In southern Ontario, a massive barn fire killed hundreds of pigs, while in Todd County, Minnesota, about 19,000 4-week-old turkey chicks were killed. (Sources: The London Free Press & KARE 11 News) Comment: While producers are compensated by government, taxpayer dollars, and insurance, these animals suffered enormously before perishing, and most people will think nothing of it. Think again; show you care by adopting a lifestyle that is free of animal products. Animals are not commodities and it’s time we stopped treating them as such. October 3, 2018 Barn Fire Report Documents 2.7 million+ farm animal deaths Washington, DC—Today, the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) released a first-of-its-kind report highlighting the more than 2.7 million US farm animals who perished in potentially preventable barn fires from 2013 to 2017. The report, issued in advance of National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13), offers recommendations for barn fire prevention and improved fire safety to better protect farm animals. No farm animal should ever burn to death in a fire that could have been prevented. Chickens represented 95 percent of all farm animals who died in barn fires. The report: Barn fires: A Deadly Threat to Farm Animals Barn fires Killed 150,000+ Farm Animals in 2018 Washington, DC—More than 150,000 farm animals perished in potentially preventable barn fires in the United States in 2018, an Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) analysis of media reports to date has found. Of the 148 barn fires tracked in 2018—nearly double the number documented one year prior--Wisconsin reported the most fires (19), followed by Ohio (18) and New York (18). The five barn fires with the highest number of farm animal deaths, as reported by the media, were:
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