Dog, Cat Expert Harms Farmed Animals

A Chicago pet expert has sided with animal agribusiness, publishing a piece titled "Endangered Species: U.S. Farmers" on his blog.

Steve Dale, who had his own weekly show on Chicago's WGN Radio -- which is how I came to know of him -- is a syndicated pet columnist and a dog and cat behavior consultant, according to his blog, "Steve Dale's Pet World."

"Endangered Species: U.S. Farmers" criticizes California's Prop 2 and the Ohio initiative that is likely to be on November's ballot -- both of which phase out the use of confining crates for calves, pregnant pigs and chickens used for their eggs.

It bothers me that a man who makes his living by advocating on behalf of dogs and cats hasn't made the connection to other species of animals. But what annoys me more is that he's actually giving publicity -- and swaying public opinion -- to the side of people who murder animals.

If Dale hasn't made the connection and wants to eat animals, fine. But don't give animal abusers a microphone. And certainly don't tell your many fans that it's ok to eat animals.

What's the difference between a dog and a pig, between a cat and a cow?

He ends his post with agribusiness's "Chicken Little" arguments.

Everyone wants U.S. farmers to treat farm animals humanely....[Rancher Trent] Loos says we're pretty much there already; others contend we need to do better. All agree, though, if we go too far - animals don't benefit, U.S. farms go away - and we import nearly all our food. Sound like that could never happen. Experts say 'we're on our way for that to happen now.' Do we really want to be dependent on other countries for our food. Not only will prices go up, but also huge concerns about food safety.

We already have huge concerns about food safety under the current conditions. At least once a month I read about animal flesh being recalled.

And if prices for animal flesh and secretions increase, then that'd mean fewer animals who are tortured and killed. Isn't that a good thing, Mr. Animal Lover?

One segment that won't disappear, though, is U.S. farmers. While people who imprison and kill animals like to consider themselves farmers, true farmers actually grow crops. And a population that's eating more plant foods is going to give them a bigger market.