Toronto Cow Save bears witness of a crippled cow, known as a “downer” in the animal exploitation industry, at an early vigil on Monday, February 24, 2013 at St. Helen’s “Meat Packers” slaughterhouse. Toronto Cow Save holds a vigil the following morning on Tuesday, February 25 and Mary Fantaske and other activists befriend Charloais and Hereford cows in a transport truck on a public road minutes before the truck backs up into the unloading area.
Mary says, “I almost forgot where we were for a moment and then you remember… they’re going to die.”
Mary, a member of Toronto Cow Save, also has interned at various animal sanctuaries where she regularly visits her friend Elliot, a Charolais cow. She also knew and loved a Charolais cow named Howie at Animal Place Sanctuary with Molly Jordan (intern and volunteer coordinator at Animal Place Sanctuary). Howie lived up to 17 years old—15 years older than the Charolais baby cows we witnessed at our vigil.
Toronto Cow Save holds weekly vigils at “St. Helen’s” and “Ryding-Regency” cow slaughterhouse in northwest Toronto. We use a Gandhian, love-based approach to community organizing and nonviolent direct action. TCS is an inclusive group with widespread participation at our vigils. Jo-Anne McArthur, animal rights photographer with WeAnimals attends an early morning vigil.
You can join Toronto Cow Save’s weekly vigils via Facebook and “like” their page.
Video by Anita Krajnc and Mary Fantaske
