As disturbing as this is, it's not a surprise to those of us who have to sit through sickening videos and then listen to the profiteers defend the practices, cover them up and kill the messenger along with the pigs, chickens, turkeys, rabbits and others.

Serial killing and trophy hunting are terrifyingly similar. As wildlife researcher and author Gareth Patterson points out, both types of killers often immerse themselves in violent imagery.

Animals played starring roles in most of Dr. Seuss' works, so it's a treat for many people to see another book featuring animals, What Pet Should I Get?, published decades after his death. The publishers honored the kind author by including a PETA-requested addendum urging families who are considering welcoming animals into their homes and hearts to adopt, not shop, for them. But there is more to be said.

Our soldiers deserve the best training available -- and that's not hacking at moaning goats with gardening shears or blowing off pigs' jaws. Lifelike human-patient simulators, which are readily available, realistically represent human anatomy and traumatic injury.

You can help chickens everywhere by refusing to buy any eggs and instead using egg-free options for your baking and cooking.

Americans eat 288 percent more meat than the global average, and we drink 235 percent more milk. We simply cannot claim to care about the environment when we are consuming so many animal products.