It is true that shechita has been found in some
scientific tests conducted in the United States
and other countries to be a relatively painless
method of slaughter [see the extensive discussion
in Schochet, Animal Life in Jewish Tradition,
pp. 283-287.] However, while shechita can
be humane, undercover
investigations of the world's largest glatt kosher
slaughterhouse have shown that extremely abusive
slaughter practices -- like shocking animals in
the face, gouging holes in their throat, tearing
off their ears, and pulling out their internal organs
while still concious -- not only go on at kosher
slaughterhouses but do not invalidate its kosher
certification. Kosher is therefore no guarantee
of humane slaughter.
Even if it did, can we consider only the final
minutes of an animal's life? What about the tremendous
pain and cruelty involved in the entire process
of raising and transporting animals? When the consumption
of meat is not necessary and is even harmful to
people's health can any method of slaughter be considered
humane? Is this not a contradiction in terms?
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