Question:
I used to live in Connecticut, but had to sell my condo and move to Pennsylvania. I thought it would be a good move -- until I saw how the Amish treat their animals. It drives me crazy, and there doesn't seem to be anyone to help. I've written to the Humane League of Lancaster County about different situations I've seen, but they don't seem to be able to do much. I don't know if the Amish are exempt from the laws or have their own or what.
For instance, they have buggy rides that tourists take, especially along Route 340 from Bird-in-Hand to Intercourse. These horses have to pull the long wagons and buggies all day long, and most of the time there''s only one horse pulling that heavy load up and down hills for miles. One time, a team of two horses pulled this huge wagon full of tourists, and one of the horses fell three times. They also "de-bark" their dogs! This is absolutely cruel, inhumane and barbaric. Twice now, I''ve run into young dogs that can''t bark, and I''m sure there are others in the Amsh community. Why in the world would someone do that to God's creatures? Why do people abuse helpless animals? It drives me nuts. It seems that breeding is the only reason the Amish have female dogs. They breed them, sell the offspring to a puppy truck (which I had never heard of before) and then breed the female again after about five to six months. I don't know how to help these dogs that are penned up in rabbit cages or the horses that have to pull wagons all day long, etc. Do you have any suggestions? I don't know what else to do.
M.B., Lancaster, Pa Jun 07, 2009
Answer:
I sympathize with your situation, surrounded by a community of people who treat animals in ways that offend your sensibilities (and mine), but not theirs. Such seeming indifference comes from a way of life that needs to be examined from within that community by the elders, whom you should contact with your documented concerns. The Humane Society of the United States in Gaithersburg, Md., has a Religion and Animals division that should help you: Call (202) 452-1100. I, too, have visited some of the Amish farms in your area and was generally impressed with the quality of care for both the livestock and the land. But I found their puppy-mill cages abhorrent and a contradiction of what I thought being devout was all about. In my belief system, compassion and reverence for all life are ethical principles that are absolutes, or they are not at all.
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