Published Letters and Op-Eds from
COK’s Writers Group

Cruelty-Free Diet for Greater Good

Published in The Daily Illini on February 17, 2003.

Kudos to Vinay Tota and the growing number of students adopting cruelty-free diets (“Vegetarianism catches on,” Feb. 13). For many young people, once their eyes have been opened to the immense suffering endured by the animals we eat, becoming vegetarian is the only choice.

The majority of animals raised for meat, dairy and egg products are confined to such small spaces that even basic movements are nearly impossible. Procedures such as tail-docking, dehorning and castration are performed without any painkillers. By the time they are deemed fit for slaughter, many animals are so disoriented and disease-ridden that being pushed, prodded or grabbed for the journey to the slaughterhouse may result in broken bones or other injuries. And, all too often, slaughter and dismemberment takes place while the animals are still fully conscious.

It is no wonder more and more people are becoming vegetarian upon having learned about these cruel practices. There’s no better way to show compassion to those at our mercy than by becoming vegetarian. And there’s no better time to start than now.

Laurel Long