I am not a total fan of PETA, but I happen to be in total agreement with them regarding their stance on the US Army's intention to shoot pigs during a training exercise, which is supposed to teach first aid and critical care in the field. More after the jump.
From the AP/Yahoo News: Full Story
The Army says it's critical to saving the lives of wounded soldiers. Animal-rights activists call the training cruel and outdated. Despite opposition by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the Army is moving forward with its plan to shoot live pigs and treat their gunshot wounds in a medical trauma exercise Friday at Schofield Barracks for soldiers headed to Iraq.
Maj. Derrick Cheng, spokesman for the 25th Infantry Division, said the training is being conducted under a U.S. Department of Agriculture license and the careful supervision of veterinarians and a military Animal Care and Use Committee.
"It's to teach Army personnel how to manage critically injured patients within the first few hours of their injury," Cheng said.
The soldiers are learning emergency lifesaving skills needed on the battlefield when there are no medics, doctors or facility nearby, he said.
PETA, however, said there are more advanced and humane options available, including high-tech human simulators. In a letter,
PETA urged the Army to end all use of animals, "as the overwhelming majority of North American medical schools have already done. Shooting and maiming pigs is outdated as Civil War rifles," said Kathy Guillermo, director of PETA's Laboratory Investigations Department.
The Norfolk, Va.-based group demanded the exercise be halted after it was notified by a "distraught" soldier from the unit, who disclosed a plan to shoot the animals with M4 carbines and M16 rifles.
"There's absolutely no reason why they have to shoot live pigs," PETA spokeswoman Holly Beal said.
Recent studies in animal intelligence show pigs are at least as intelligent as 3-4 year old children. Knowing that, I can't see how we can allow our government to sanction this type of sadistic, cruel, bloody business. I know, I know--these are the same people who have turned the US into a torture nation, and it seems like nothing we do, until the election, can stop that practice. However, maybe we can get a little back by trying to stop this exercise. You can tell much about a people or nation by observing how they treat animals. Do you think it is worth federal monies to inflict pain, fear and death on helpless animals, who, in all probability, experience things in much the same way your child does?
Although it is yet another uphill battle, please contact your members of congress in an effort to stop this program-especially since better battle simulations are available.
Thanks for reading—I’ll be sending this article along to Congressman Kucinich.