Human behaviour in slaughterhouses

I WRITE in regard to the Comment in the Veterinary Record last week (VR, June 17, 2017, vol 180, p 580) in which you discuss human behaviour in slaughterhouses.

I am reminded of an article about disappearing languages in the National Geographic magazine of July 2012. Examples of the use of language included one from Tuva, in the Russian Federation, where 'khoj özeeri' means to slaughter an animal for human consumption, but also kindness and humaneness. The author states that 'khoj özeeri' implies a relationship with animals which is also a measure of a peoples' character.

By contrast, you opine that 'it must be brutalising to work surrounded by death and killing every day.'

Obviously, in a high throughput abattoir, it is impossible for the workers to show the continuum of respect the Tuvans...