Defenceless animals deserve our concern

THE world has, indeed, been waiting “with bated breath” ( Viewpoint, July 9) for a happy outcome for the boys trapped in a Thai cave.

But what is it about this news item that has the entire world transfixed? Is it because the individuals concerned are children and thus considered more vulnerable, innocent and defenceless than adults?

As I ref lected on this, I was reminded of another group of trapped “children”, for whom there is ver y lit tle concern. And none of them ever escapes alive from their “caves”.

I’m referring to the millions of factor y-farmed animals, who spend their entire lives inside sunless, stinking sheds.

‘Broiler’ chickens still have their baby blue eyes when they meet their terrif ying death at just six weeks of age. Pigs, at six months, are the equivalent of a nineyear- old child when they are sent to the gas chamber.

These young animals are as innocent as human youngsters and don’t want to die prematurely any more than humans do. So, why no compassion for them?

Whereas saving the boys in the Thai cave was an extremely dif f icult operation, saving these youngsters is as simple as making humane choices when we shop.

JENNY MOXHAM Victoria, Australia