Learning to Identify Abuse in Livestock may Require more than Observation

August 5, 2009 — 

The Ohio Farm Bureau and the Ohio State University Extension are joining efforts to help humane officers across the state learn how to distinguish normal livestock handling and care from animal abuse.

The effort is being heightened after a public battle between the Humane Society of the United States and the state's agricultural community over the creation of a statewide animal care commission. The issue has increased anxieties over whether a local humane officer would know how to identify abuse in a livestock operation.

The Humane Society of the United States has been pressing for the state of Ohio to pass legislation similar to the state of California, which requires changes in the way chickens, pigs and veal are raised. The state has instead passed legislation to create a ballot measure on whether or not the state will create a board to establish livestock regulations.

However, that has not eased the fears of many farmers. So the Ohio Farm Bureau and employees of local humane societies gathered to learn about the basics of animal husbandry in Wooster July 23.

John Fitzpatrick, Ohio Farm Bureau organization director in Wayne, Medina, and Ashland counties, said the training is meant to help volunteers learn what may qualify as neglect or abuse in livestock and how to handle the animals.

"We want them to know they should get the farmer and work with them in order to keep themselves safe," he said.

Source:
Farm and Dairy, by Kristy Foster
July 30, 2009