Every year on factory farms, thousands of animals die in fires due to the dangerous conditions in which they live. The alarming frequency of these incidents highlights the urgency to prioritize animal welfare and improve safety standards across the agricultural industry.
There is an urgent need to pay more attention to domestic animals in the United States and take action to prevent fires. As of April 2023, the Animal Welfare Institute has reported that nearly 144,670 animals in the United States have died in fires, highlighting the urgent importance of improving safety measures. Fire fighting on farms.
These fires not only affect cows but also have a spillover effect on other animals confined under one roof, making it difficult to get out when fires break out. Sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, ducks and turkeys are all at risk of injury or death from fires on farms.
A report released by the Animal Welfare Institute in January 2022 revealed that nearly 3 million animals died in barn fires between 2018 and 2021, with nearly 98% of them chickens. The six largest fires during this period killed 1.76 million chickens. The death toll is increasing rapidly:
- In 2023, a fire in South Fork Dairy Farm in Dimmit, Texas estimated to have killed about 18,000 cows, the largest mass death of cows in a fire across the US in at least two decades.
- In 2023, a fire at Hillandale Ranch in Bozrah, Connecticut, one of the top five egg producers in the United States, killed about 100,000 hens used for eggs.
- In 2022, a fire at the Forsman Farm in Lake Howard, Minnesota, killed about 200,000 chickens.
- In 2020, a fire at the Michael Foods plant in Bloomfield, Nebraska, killed about 400,000 chickens.
The need to improve safety regulations
There is no federal law that requires ranchers to provide any kind of emergency plan for their animals in the event of a fire. The lack of safety requirements for domestic animals, coupled with cramped and overcrowded conditions, make these accidents particularly serious.
Many warehouse fires are caused by faulty heating or electrical systems that have little access to fire alarms or sprinklers. Flammable materials such as hay or sewage also pose a significant danger to these animals. In particular, wastewater discharges significant amounts of methane and hydrogen sulfide, both of which are highly explosive.
Although fires cannot be completely avoided, public agencies can reduce the risk by adopting Fire and life safety in animal shelters Codepublished by the National Fire Protection Association in 2022.
The code requires annual fire hazard checks, contacting emergency services with alarms, fire drills, staff training, and minimum distances between buildings. However, only a few states apply the code to farms, putting many animals at risk of deadly fires.
The actual number of animals that die in a fire is likely to be much higher than the publicly recorded figure because reporting requirements vary from state to state. Media coverage tends to highlight financial losses rather than animal suffering.
How can you help animals
Let the industry know you stand behind animals and stand against this abuse! Join our End Factory Farming campaign by signing our petition today.
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Consider replacing meat, dairy, eggs, or other animal products with plant-based products. Join our Love Vegan movement and invite your friends too!
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With a rich love life and unbreakable family ties, pets deserve protection. You can build a kinder world by replacing animal food products with plant-based products.
