In the butchering of many animals it is normal to not feed them during their last hours. The last thing you want is intestines full of food and water. To have a gut with a lot of material in it increases the chances of leakage onto the edible portions of the carcass. 

Of course most Canadians have never butchered anything. They think meat comes on styrofoam trays covered in cellophane. I have been thirsty at the end of a long road trip. It didn't feel like abuse.