How Do You Feel About the Shooting of the Pregnant Cow at the California State Fair?

Animals prefer to give birth in familiar surroundings. You can make a place for a dog or cat to give birth and then find that they shredded the couch or easy chair overnight because that's where they decided was a good spot. The cow had no place to go.

Hormones run high during pregnancy. Just a homeowner tip: don't let pregnant women pick paint colors. And definitley don't let them paint and breathe those fumes, not good for them or the baby.

Elizabeth, although I do not share your feelings on this issue I felt empathy for you as I read your post.  I did read the news article you linked within your post. My thoughts are to the opposing benefits and costs of such events (be they at state fairs or otherwise). The birthing of animals are natural events and very much a part of reality. I think educating those of us animals who are capable of being educated is good. However there are always the risks of errors and mishaps. Those who would ban event A because of the possibility of mishap B must either be totally ignorant of the benefits of event A or judge that any occurrence of mishap B is not worth the benefits of event A. Of course this thought assumes the ability & willingness to think.

Bill

Rib eye, medium rare, creamed spinach and garlic mashed potatoes. A glass of montepulciano. Key lime pie, cappuccino, and try not to think about the pre kitchen events. 

Elizabeth - this dind't make the news here. I do not know what the environment was that the birthing was to take place in, but, having been to the California State Fair multiple times (I lived in Benicia for years) I don't recall any area that really would be conducive to or suitable for a maternity wing.

Do you still have the same reaction when you smell the fresh country air around the stockyards along I-5 near Coalinga?

I don't get that people don't understand why this is cruel.  You think animals don't have feelings?  And in this day and age of television, internet, etc. why can't we just have one guy with a camera film the miracle of birth and share with the world.  Seems much more humane to me.

It's not about the feelings of animals.  It's about our responsiblity to them and how we treat them even though they are our food.  It speaks about how we will treat each other.  There is nothing "natural" about the state fair.

What asses to take that cow to the state fair to give birth.  Asses.  I've seen calves born, in fact helped pull one out, but you know at the barn, where the cows lived.  My granddaddy had a farm.  So I've eaten a cow and pig that I'd feed the weekend before.  But I can tell you this, even back in the 60s and 70s my Granddaddy treated his animals humanely.  But it did smell like a farm down near the barn.

I will address the shooting and say that the Vet who gave the OK to shoot the cow is ignorant and should be fired from his position at the fair. Having been involved with animal rescue for 15 years in many different situations, there were many other ways to handle this situation. But they took the easy way out after chasing her everywhere with a truck, tiring her out, and then shooting her. Several animal groups were there yesterday... it is not over.

Elizabeth - When I heard that news blasting away on my television set, I immediately walked away.  I did not want to see the accompanying video.  I am having a hard time accepting that they couldn't have handled that situation differently.  I was at the State Fair last week.  A lot of folks out near the live stock barns are ranchers.  They come there and literally bunk down with their animals.  I am certain some could have managed to corral up that cow.   That's there business!  The whole thing was handled really badly in my opinion.

I think it is just an unfortunate event that got out of control.  Yes, the cow could have been left at the home barn to give birth.  But, the purpose of the state fair is to show people who would otherwise not see these animals a peek into their existence. The animal lovers, if they had their way, would ban us from eating any animals because killing them is inhumane.

Bottom line is that the animal was not being tortured and I am sure many births have taken place in such surroundings over the years.  We don't stop driving cars because horrible devastating accidents occur.  So, lets give the benefit of the doubt to the fair staff.  

We humans eat meat and use animals for both work, food, companionship, sports, and more.  Just don't torture them while they are alive.

Geez, when you chase any animal with a SUV what do you expect it to do. I think a bucket of grain would have done the trick! People need to use some more common sense! It wasn't a loose gorilla for heaven's sake!

Elizabeth, To have been at the Fair and be a witness that would have horrified me! It's obvious those in charge reacted badly but the cow didn't belong there as another side-show...it just isn't natural! For some, this type of behavior is 'business as usual!" A shame really...

Hi Elizabeth, I can't imagine this and didn't see the news.  How horrific it all sounds. So while that is about all I can say about the event at the fair, I have to agree with you: If I had to do the killing of the meat, I would have to become a vegetarian too.  Just thinking about it, makes me want to :-)

Elizabeth, when I first heard this described, they spoke of an angry cow who "clearly hated people" and "was on the attack", but when I saw the video taken by a fair worker, I saw a nervous cow, looking for a way out and away from the police car that was chasing her. That car was driving just a few feet behind her as she trotted along.  If someone was chasing me with a car, I would do more than trot away. I'd be racing full blast and likely even crashing into things.

She was simply afraid, and someone familiar with animals should have been able to get the police to back off while they calmed her down.  She was pregnant and scared.  It breaks my heart that this was the reason she was killed.