Highest recommendation, the book by Matthew Scully: "Dominion - The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy." www.matthewscully.com
People can play linguistic gymnastics into eternity. This book addresses what would surely the true intent of a merciful, compassionate Creator from a biblical perspective. And much more, too. It's one of the best, if not the best, book I've ever read to tackle this subject, written extremely well and powerfully by a vegetarian Christian conservative -- that last description an important one in that he is a respected writer reaching a readership that otherwise might never consider this perspective.
Juli