Animal Place Action Alert

January 12, 2011 -

The photos are nothing less than shocking and heartbreaking. Live pigs being dumped into freshly dug holes...buried alive. We have chosen not to display any of the pictures, but you can see them at KARA's website.

The South Korean government has responded to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease and avian influenza by requiring the mandatory culling of animals, whether they are affected or not.

As of January 9, 2011 more than one million pigs, 103,000 cows, and 3,000 deer, sheep, and goats have been killed...90% buried alive.

Another disease outbreak of avian influenza has resulted in the live burial of 2.7 million birds.

That brings the total of animals killed to nearly four million farmed animals. Including birds, nearly 95% of these animals were buried alive.

Talking Points

• Vaccination is the alternative - use it.
• Live burials are exceedingly cruel and must be stopped immediately

Of course, the ultimate solution is to stop raising animals for food production. Until that time comes, though, it is imperative to let governments know that they are not exempt from following humane protocols, even amidst a "disease" outbreak.