Baldin, Damien
From Bloody Horror to Intolerable Animal Suffering
- 2014.
91
Starting in the 19th century, this article outlines the history of the killing of slaughterhouse animals, highlighting the two main emotions associated with this phenomenon : horror at the blood that was produced during animal slaughter, and a growing intolerance for animal suffering. During the 19th century, slaughterhouses slowly began to displace older killing methods and try to hide the runoff of blood in public spaces. Once this invisibility was obtained, during the following century authorities sought to implement a more humane form of slaughter that minimised animal suffering. Studying how these changes were implemented over time allows us to illustrate the historical construction of social and political tolerance levels with regard to animal slaughter, as well as the forms of public opinion that determined how these deaths were accepted.