Miss Dorothy Sidley 1896-1978
The volunteer who dedicated her life to animal welfare
“….The pigs were abominably treated. The first sound I heard in the market was a pig’s scream. The selling had just commenced when I arrived and as the auctioneer moved to each pen he was accompanied by two drovers who prodded and beat the pigs most unmercifully, ..Beating in the face and giving vicious jabs seemed to be the favourite methods” (Taken from Dorothy’s original notes at a market in 1925)
Dorothy was born on the 9th of April 1896 in Hampstead, London. A life-long vegetarian, she joined the Council of Justice for Animals in 1922 as a voluntary worker at a time when the organisation’s first aim was to replace the pole-axe with the much more reliable and humane mechanically operated humane stunner. It was also anxious to improve the welfare of food animals by introducing reforms to livestock markets and transport facilities.
Initially, the organisation had a number of branches, including a separate Council of Justice in Scotland, and dispensaries were maintained for animals of the poor. It also had close links with the Humane Slaughter of Animals Association (HSAA) which had been founded in 1920 by Mr Norman Graham and which held very similar objects. In 1928, the two organisations amalgamated, becoming the Council of Justice to Animals & Humane Slaughter Association, now the Humane Slaughter Association.
During this period of huge change, Dorothy was pivotal. At that time, she was very much a woman in a man’s world, organising petitions and practical demonstrations to introduce mechanical stunning. Demonstrations were given to slaughtermen all over the country and hundreds of humane stunners were distributed free of charge. Initially there were objections from the meat trade, arising from fears that the meat might be contaminated, but this suspicion was overcome when doctors provided support to the contrary. ...
Follow the link to read the article in full on the HSA website