I am writing to strongly urge the Connecticut state legislature to pass Bill 5838 to ban gestation crates in the state of Connecticut.  Gestation crates are a cruel and inhumane agricultural method that crams breeding pigs for their entire lives into cages so small that the pigs can barely move and cannot turn around.  It is obvious that this method inflicts great misery on the pigs.

For those pet owners out there, I urge you to imagine your dog being stuck in a cage narrowly fitted to his or her body for his or her whole life.  Pigs have been consistently found to be as intelligent and social as dogs.  If we would object to our dogs being so abused, why tolerate it when it comes to pigs?

One reason people might claim gestation crates are necessary is because of their economic efficiency.  This, however, is plainly false.  An Iowa State University study, among other studies, found gestation crates to be actually inefficient next to more humane alternatives.  Moreover, if gestation crates are so economically necessary, then why have dozens of food companies, from McDonald’s to Costco, decided to stop using gestation crates?

Ample polling evidence indicates that the public strongly supports animal protection.  Gestation crates are a clear example of animal mistreatment, and polling evidence shows that the public firmly opposes gestation crates.  I have little doubt that, were this bill to be put to a referendum, the public would support it overwhelmingly.  If the members of the Connecticut state legislature seek to represent their constituents, then the answer is clear: support Bill 5838.

Zachary Groff

New Haven