Pig Mural

David Ferrell’s glorification of Arno Jordan’s “Rural” mural on the Vernon slaughterhouse (Metro, Oct. 27) is nothing short of preposterous. Ignorance is bliss, but depicting pigs in an idyllic situation (i.e., grazing contentedly in pastures, riding comfortably in rail cars) is nothing short of criminal.

In reality, pigs are confined in pens that do not allow them to turn around, their “bedding” consists of concrete slabs or metal slats that induce hoof and leg injuries. They are also denied sunshine (or much light) much less fresh air. Another obvious facade in the mural shows the happy little “porkers” engaged in a carefree ride on a rail car. The fact of the matter is they are crammed inside where they must endure suffocation, thirst, hunger and motion sickness. A new terror awaits them when they reach their final destination--smelling the death of the pigs killed before them. So much for a monument to Western culture.

Perhaps the next time someone wants to showcase a slaughterhouse, they should do it from the inside.

ABBY ELLIOTT

Venice