By Little Bo Peep
PETA Affiliate
When was the last time you asked yourself where the clothes on your back came from? Just what went in to making that favorite sweater in your closet? If the answer is wool, then that sweater may be the byproduct of the mistreatment of an innocent lamb.
Worldwide, sheep are be¬ing treated as second-class citizens. They are not being guaranteed the fundamental rights of the countries they inhabit. Why? What gives humans the right to mistreat the rest of earth’s creatures, especially those that are un¬able to protest? Why should the rights of sheep not also be protected under the U.S. Constitution?
Each year, massive num¬bers of sheep endure poor living conditions, including overcrowded pins, starvation, polluted drinking water, ne¬glect, and tail removal. These hardships are widespread, yet unnecessary. Sheep herders should be obligated by law to maintain humane conditions for their animals. Measures, such as minimum water pro¬visions, food inspections, proper monetary wages, and adequate pin facilities, should be enforced. During the winter months, sheep should also be provided with electrical heating blankets between the hours of dusk and sunrise. Labor laws would be another excellent advance—limiting the amount of wool a sheep can produce without adequate compensation. Unfortunate¬ly, few advances are being made on the issue of sheep’s rights.
There is something you can do! Make Tuesday, April 7, 2009 Sheep’s Rights Aware¬ness Day. Pin a single cotton ball to the front of your shirt to show your commitment to this most important issue. In addition, consumers should boycott wool products until our wooly friends are given better living conditions. In the event that these measures fall short, call your local state representative and voice your opinion for the need of a Constitutional Amendment to protect the rights of sheep. Sheep having feelings, too!
