Earlier this month we saw reports of egregious cruelty to downed dairy cows at a California plant, and then learned of the plant's closure by the USDA. Now we learn of the largest meat recall in US history. The story is everywhere -- it is on front pages throughout the US, on ABC news in Australia, and in Canada's National Post. HSUS's Paul Shapiro sent over a link to over two thousand media reports on the issue:
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=beef+recall

Many of the stories follow the February 18 Associated Press article, which gives the following information:

"An undercover video showing crippled and sick animals being shoved with forklifts has led to the largest beef recall in the United States and a scramble to find out if any of the meat is still destined for school children's lunches.

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Sunday ordered the recall of 143 million pounds of beef from a Southern California slaughterhouse that is the subject of an animal-abuse investigation."

(Note -- other sources say that is technically incorrect -- the USDA cannot order a meat recall. But it can put pressure on the company to recall meat, in this case by withdrawing its inspectors from the plant.)

The article continues:
"The recall will affect beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, that came from Chino-based Westland/Hallmark Meat Co., the federal agency said. The company provided meat to various federal programs.

"Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer said his department has evidence that Westland did not routinely contact its veterinarian when cattle became non-ambulatory after passing inspection, violating health regulations."

Of the abuses, the Associated Press reports,
"Authorities said the video showed workers kicking, shocking and otherwise abusing 'downer' animals that were apparently too sick or injured to walk into the slaughterhouse. Some animals had water forced down their throats, San Bernardino County prosecutor Michael Ramos said."

We read,
"No charges have been filed against Westland, but an investigation by federal authorities continues."

But we also read:
"Two former employees were charged Friday. Five felony counts of animal cruelty and three misdemeanors were filed against a pen manager."

Those of us who have worked in animal advocacy for some time know that there was nothing exceptional about the treatment of the dairy cows at the Hallmark plant. We have seen many similar videos taken over the years. But the coverage this has received has been exceptional, and has forced the USDA into action.
That coverage has come because the public is becoming increasingly attuned to issues of animal suffering, and the media knows it -- often because you make sure they know it! Thank you!

You'll find the most thorough coverage of the issue, and the video, at the source itself, the HSUS website:
http://www.hsus.org/farm/news/ournews/undercover_investigation.html
That page includes "What You Can Do" such as, "Ask the USDA to put an immediate stop to downers in the food supply." It provides links for action.
And you can read HSUS's response to the recall at:
http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/beef_recall_02182008.html

I am thrilled to say there have been way too many media stories for me to direct you to them. The first link provided in this email will lead you to thousands. The story is no doubt in your local paper, and on your local news. If the media had not picked up this story, there would have been no USDA recall, so I ask you to please do everything you can to encourage more coverage on this issue. Not only will your input encourage more coverage of this issue, it will send a sign to media outlets letting them know that animal stories matter to their readers and viewers.

It's easy to do. Phyllis Jacobson, intending only to share good news with me, provided us a wonderful example she has since given me permission to share. She sent the following note to her local news anchor:

"Thanks for your story about the downed cows on the 10PM news tonight. The public needs to know about the cruelty that animals have to endure -- all to have hamburger on their plate. Maybe now there will be
more people who will refuse to participate in the cruelty by refusing to eat meat.
Thanks again for the informing the public. You should do more stories like this."

She received a response from the anchor, which began with:
"Phyllis, sooo disturbing to watch AND good for us all to watch it."
It went on to say more, and thanked Phyllis for her email and for watching.

Phyllis's note no doubt encouraged that reporter to throw her support behind further coverage of animal issues.

If you see a story to which you wish to respond and have trouble finding the correct email address on the station or paper's website, try giving them a call. And feel free to ask me for research help. I can usually track down a feedback address.

Something to note: What is left out of almost all of the media coverage is that the animals we saw being tortured were dairy cows. Some of you may wish to point that out as it will help those reading your note better understand why many animal advocates are vegan, rather than vegetarian.

I sign off with a huge thank you to all who have let the media know, over the years, that animal stories matter. Your feedback has mattered.

Yours and the animals',
Karen Dawn

(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the relevant media outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for alerts at http://www.DawnWatch.com. You may forward or reprint DawnWatch alerts if you do so unedited -- leave DawnWatch in the title and include this parenthesized tag line. If somebody forwards DawnWatch alerts to you, which you enjoy, please help the list grow by signing up. It is free.)

Please go to www.ThankingtheMonkey.com to read advance reviews of Karen Dawn's new book, "Thanking the Monkey: Rethinking the Way we Treat Animals" and watch the fun celebrity studded promo video.