Cows and especially pigs are highly intelligent animals. And they are totally delicious. Let's change our minds about those before we beat up the Japanese too badly, shall we?
Pigs are definitely highly intelligent. As clean, smart, and affectionate as dogs, by all accounts.
Wild animals in the food chain don't have much of a choice as to how they survive. Humans, on the other hand, do. We have reached a point where we no longer need to eat meat, plus it has a ton of other disadvantages (inefficient and expensive use of energy, it's better to get it direct from the plant, hygiene and safety issues, etc.). If we have the option of getting by without having to torture and murder animals, we should take that option if we want to be considered civilized.