by Leanne
A newborn bull calf in Japan made national news headlines yesterday due to a heart-shaped mark on his forehead. The pattern has captured countless imaginations as we approach Valentine’s Day, but in reality, while beautiful, these marks are quite common among Holstein and Jersey breeds of cattle. At the California Shelter alone, we’ve had several handsome steers rescued from stockyards, dairy farm dead piles and slaughter-bound trucks who wore white hearts upon their heads, including Cupid, Valentino and Norman. You can see their sweet photos below! We only hope the calf named Ha-chan (Japanese for "heart") will be treated with compassion long after the holiday has ended and make it to a sanctuary, rather than be sent to an early death simply because he had the great misfortune of being born male at a dairy farm. In California, Farm Sanctuary has posted a reward for information leading to arrests for the illegal dumping of dead bull calves in San Joaquin County. Unfortunately, these recent developments are another example of a callous industry holding no regard for these animals who are considered mere by-products.
CUPID
Photo by Connie Pugh
VALENTINO
NORMAN
We visited Farm Sanctuary last summer, and when I heard about Ha Chan, my very first thought was of Cupid and the others! If only people realized how often these "unusual" cows with heart-shaped markings were being sent off to slaughter as a mere byproduct!
Posted by: Becci | February 21, 2009 at 02:19 PM
I will pray for Ha Chan that he makes it to a sanctuary.
Posted by: Gemma | February 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM