The RSPCA has enraged farmers by comparing cattle farming to stepping on a snail in a new video.
In the video, a variety of animals sing Respect, by Aretha Franklin, whilst different creatures are poorly treated by humans. This includes a spider being swatted, a bee being caught in a lawnmower and the rearing of chickens.
The two-minute advert, which was released alongside a rebrand from the UK’s largest animal welfare charity, then showcases examples of people treating animals with respect.
Positive examples of humans valuing animals include a man moving a snail off the pavement and free-range chickens.
The RSPCA has compared cow farming to stepping on a snail in a video which has sparked fury onlineRSPCAGareth Wyn Jones, a Welsh hill farmer who has been involved in recent farming protests, said the video was “a kick in the teeth”.
“Respecting animals is what 99 per cent of farmers do. There's a few rotten apples but those are the ones that the RSPCA keeps showing,” he told The Telegraph.
“We all love bees, but when there are so many cases of real animal cruelty lecturing people on lawn mowing really isn't the issue,” Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance also told the publication.
The charity said that a recent survey of 2,500 adults showed that 90 per cent of people think dogs can experience emotions such as happiness.
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In the video, a variety of animals sing Respect, by Aretha Franklin, whilst different creatures are poorly treated by humans
RSPCA
However, rats and chickens did not fare as well, with just 34 per cent and 42 per cent respectively believing they could experience positive feelings.
The RSPCA said: “In reality, both experience lives rich in emotions - rats love to play and even giggle when tickled, and chickens can count and some show empathy for their flock mates.”
Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the animal welfare charity, said: “We are devoted to our cats and dogs, but we often don't realise we are connected to billions of other animals in our lives, through the things we buy and the choices we make.
“All animals are amazing, but sadly we've come to see many creatures as commodities and we value their lives differently because of it.
“As a society, we love our native birds, but turn a blind eye to the suffering of billions of meat chickens; we love the hedgehogs who visit our garden, but treat rats and foxes as pests.
The video dropped alongside a rebrand for the RSPCARSPCA“We need to realise that all animals have feelings and emotions, many can feel joy, anger, fear, and more, and whether they are pets, wildlife, on farms or in labs, they deserve to have a fulfilled life of their own.”
Responses to the video online were mixed. Some praised the video, with one stating: “Absolutely fantastic, this is exactly what humanity needs... a drastic wake-up call ... Respect ALL Life.”
Another added: “I totally agree with you. It is shameful how some humans treat animals.”
Others were less enthusiastic. One user said: “So you’re implying that farming / farmers mistreat their animals then?”.
A second added: “So many contradictions in that video?! So a cow being milked is not respectful but a cow skipping in a field is, I’d love to see you have some rescue cows outside this spring! They’d all look pretty glum! Shame on the organisation for stirring more abuse to farmers online.”
Responding to criticism online, the charity defended its depiction of dairy cows, saying they “face a number of welfare challenges, from painful lameness, to uncomfortable bedding, and having no access to pasture.
“We want to encourage people to understand more about where their food comes from and how the animals are reared,” it added.
The release of the video came alongside a rebrand for the charity, who has ditched circular blue and white logo and replaced it a bolder text and brighter colours, whilst adding cartoon pictures of animals.