Letter From Jenny Moxham about Marius, the Giraffe... Inexcusable, but Swift
Letters From All-Creatures.org and The Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation

As posted on Jerusalem Post
Feb 23 2014

Inexcusable, but swift

Sir,

With regard to “Denmark 2, giraffes ( and Jews)” ( Comment & Features, February 19), the killing of Marius the giraffe was inexcusable, but his swift death – a shot in the head as he bent to eat his favorite food – cannot be compared with the terrifying ordeal endured by animals that are brutally and terrifyingly slaughtered for kosher meat.

Although kosher slaughter is meant to be “compassionate,” undercover investigations have repeatedly revealed horrific cruelty being inflicted on animals in kosher slaughterhouses. An investigation at Agriprocessors, in the US, revealed almost 300 instances of inhumane slaughter. Cows’ sensitive faces were shocked with electric prods, and fully conscious cattle had their tracheas and esophagi ripped from their throats with meat hooks or knives. Writhing animals, with blood gushing from their throats, tried desperately to stand for up to three minutes.

Instead of seeking to defend kosher slaughter, wouldn’t it be better to seek to end this brutal and grisly custom of executing innocent and defenseless animals for flesh, milk and eggs that we don’t need? As Jewish Nobel prize winner Isaac Bashevis Singer wrote: “There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is.”

Jenny Moxham, Monbulk

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