I don't think anyone IS in denial about it. As a culture, we have raised dogs above other animals. They are useful workers and loving companions and it doesn't hurt that they're cute.
Mostly, I think we try to strike a balance between using animals for what we need, and doing that in a way that causes them as little suffering as is reasonable.
We eat animals for food. Anyone who would kill animals SOLELY for sport, leaving the animal to rot is universally condemned. Hunters try to kill as quickly and humanely as it can be done.
We thin wild animal herds because they pose dangers to us, and overpopulation harms them as well. Too many deer in any particular area will eventually starve.
There are greyhound rescue organizations out of the realization that killing them at the end of their career is cruel.
I'm sure that slaughtering plants are not pleasant places. The animals likely do suffer and live in less than ideal conditions. That is done to provide us with meat at reasonable prices. There is a trade off.
Michael Vick tortured animals for entertainment and money. Therein lies the difference.
“As a culture, we have raised dogs above other animals.”
And dogs have done the same for us. The dog is singular in the animal kingdom with respect to his admiration of man. Man is without friend in the world, save one. The dog.
You are reasonable and compassionate, O Goddess of the Hunt. But, though YOU may not be in denial, many are. Those who dine on milk-fed veal or lamb chops choose not to think about the suffering that all this preparation cost, or if they don’t know, choose not to know.