Speciesism

With growing importance on the issues of animal welfare in farming and even for companion animals, individuals everywhere are starting to realize the trends of speciesism between differing species. With cows, someone could easily argue why there is not same consideration or equal treatment for dairy cows as there is for companion horses. Even more evident, why the process of cauterizing dogs' tails vs cows' tails is so different. Although companion animals such as dogs get anesthesia gas during these surgeries, cows are regularly cauterized by simply using heated scissors and this is done unanesthetized. The same goes for castration techniques between cattle and companion animals. Why is there a considerably larger deliberation for the dog's well-being than the cattle's during these medical procedures? Although it may be argued that it is because of the differences in history and culture between these animals, there still seems to be great debate on whether differing degrees of treatment is justified. Cows may have been used in the past for agricultural purposes as opposed to dogs who were (starting long ago) rose for companion purposes. Even more evident in the world today, whereas there is an estimated 78.2 million owned dogs in the U.S, there may be no cows residing at the foot of people's beds here currently, nonetheless around the world. These aspects may have played a role in our society's differing treatment and views on cows versus say companion animals we keep closer. But some individuals, such as animal activists, may argue otherwise in that they believe equal treatment should be put upon all animals as humans are given no matter the past culture of use and treatment.

Tail docking is a practice used in cattle production to prevent injury
or infection of the tail or udder.

Sources:

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html

http://awionline.org/pubs/Quarterly/fall02/taildocking.htm