'Hide'ous
cruelty behind every leather products
Not
many people are aware of the cruelty that is hidden in their
shoes, watches, jacket, and even car seats. A closer look
at the surface reveals that that hip bag you are clutching
in your hand or belt around your waist is actually dead
skin.made of the hide of a cow, sheep, pig or a goat!
Not
many people like to think of leather as having once been
a cow.
Traditionally
in India, we have always revered all animals, but the cow
holds a special place. From her association with Lord Krishna
to her motherly characteristics, the holy cow is a part
of our tradition. Yet in the same country where people pray
and bow to her, she is abused.
In India,
cows are abused for the sake of their skin. They are made
to travel miles without any food or water, beaten on the
way and when they are unable to walk a step further, mirchi
and tobacco rubbed in their eyes and their tails broken
till they start walking again because of the pain. They
are walked this way to waiting lorries and trucks and dozens
of cows are shoved illegally in one truck and taken to the
slaughter house. Most arrive dead or with broken bones and
at the slaughter house another nightmare awaits them, the
sawing of a blunt knife on their neck.
The
cow is then skinned and the hide tanned to make leather.
The poisonous pollutants from tanneries have contributed
to the slow destruction of our environment.
Leather
is Cruel. Say no to leather. There are many alternatives
to leather in the market, including rexine which looks just
like leather and is cheaper!
