Why do we treat pigs and dogs differently? A discussion about speciesism.

Speaking of the idea of speciesism, comparing with other species, it is common for human beings to treat dogs as superior to other nonhuman species. For example, we concentrate on and put a lot of efforts to save dogs that are subject to animal abuse, while few of us would think of the living conditions of livestock animals like pigs and cows even if they live in even more miserable conditions and have similar intelligence/emotions to feel pain. Similarly, while we consider eating dog meat as illegal, it is perfectly legal and socially acceptable to eat pork (and in fact it is not unusual to feed dogs pork), although pigs are even more intelligent in certain ways than dogs are. However, it is hard to say whether it is right or wrong to consume pig as food sources when eating dog meat is illegal because the uses of pigs and dogs are socially constructed and strongly associated with the different roles they played since their domestications, but it is able to see that such speciesism leads to the ignorance about the living conditions and sufferings of livestock animals, which is a very important issue for us to consider. When it comes to how such speciesism impacts how we treat, view, and use dogs, I think it simply emphasizes dogs’ roles as human companions and makes us to see dogs’ sufferings as more important than the sufferings of other nonhuman species.

Moreover, it is also usual to treat individual dogs differently. One example is how people view and treat various breeds differently, for example, pit bulls and golden retrievers. While golden retrievers are seen as sweet pets, pit bulls are categorized as vicious dogs. The origin of this issue will be discussed in more details later. Another example is that while many pet owners spend considerable money for their pets, the stray dogs in Sochi, Russia were almost killed by the Russian Government for Olympics because no one was there to adopt them. I think such speciesism greatly harms the welfare of certain breeds and individuals of dogs. It also allows people to exhibit discriminations or ignorance toward certain individuals and breeds within this species.

Just see some pictures to compare stray dogs in Sochi and spoiled pet dogs.

When comparing dogs with human beings, speciesism also exists. It is not uncommon for human beings to place our own interests over dogs’ well-being. Dog fighting is one example of this. Some people engage in dog fighting for entertainment; some people engage in dog fighting to make money. However, no matter what the reasons are, many dogs (especially pit bulls) are mentally and physically hurt because of humans’ benefits. An important impact brought by this type of speciesism is the prejudice and discriminations toward certain breeds, particularly pit bulls. Though pit bulls only engage in dog fighting because they are forced to do so, their overrepresentation in dog fighting has led many people to view them as “dangerous breed”, which further results in breed discriminatory laws, pit bulls’ overrepresentation in shelter dog populations, and the difficulties for many pit bulls in animal shelters to get adopted.

See why dog fighting is animal abuse and how it has hurt so many dogs—mostly pit bulls: 

In fact, pit bulls can be sweet family pets. See a related video here: 

Sources used:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/world/europe/russia-sochi-stray-dogs/

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/animal-emotions/201110/is-eating-dogs-different-eating-cows-and-pigs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speciesism

http://theyorker.co.uk/comment/opinion/society/14580-why-speciesism-is-as-serious

http://pictures-of-cats.org/Speciesism-Cats-vs-Dogs-in-UK.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_fighting

http://www.pbrc.net/

http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/dog-fighting

http://www.aspca.org/fight-cruelty/dog-fighting/dog-fighting-faq

http://omgcutethings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/pigs-in-costumes-omg-cute-things-082312-13.png

http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/originals/2012/Nature_Cute_pigs_035247_.jpg

http://petpalacez.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/cute-dogs-and-puppiescute-dogs-wallpapers-high-definition-wallpapers-byx9v0ht.jpg

http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/5100000/Cute-pups-dogs-5114450-500-309.jpg

http://abcnewsradioonline.com/storage/news-images/GETTY_13114_StrayDogs.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1391192140674

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpj1jJaoQFwkvD0nAsZfygI5J6ycIzZLQsFmVKBtJ562vyJl3RZAv01ZaoSR71SP72xm79VyWd9QHmR1xwPn8K17RYDUJGI94wNtFiNfqJHKhQyN0GaJSXB9ZAFD-jFcQv6dfsjAmXtg/s640/blogger-image-734290768.jpg

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/sHNNxvBM2oVinbPTuy7KNw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/6ae92b5ed250391c020f6a706700a0bb.jpg

http://www.dog-spoiling-made-easy.com/image-files/is_boxerdog_on_couch_2.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2672/4095396694_516f8d0e77_z.jpg

http://www.girlyeverafter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/IMG_0096.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h0-W5aQDSc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgK7K-NzWRQ