The Plight of Dogs

Mabel Annie Chacko (India, 18/03/07)

I am not sure how many of us here love animals in its strictest meaning,but I’m sure most of us cannot accept the fact that stray dogs are being culled using the most inhumane ways.

Methods such as wetting these animals and then electrocuting them, burning them alive or poisoning them are being used.

We empathize with the families who have lost their children due to dog bites during the past few months. But, the Government’s solution, to rid this problem immediately, using these methods. It isn’t fair.

- A High Court judge suggests that you have to rid the bad ones. Does this apply to our tribe too? Human beings commit so many crimes on a day to day basis. Do we apply the same policy to us too? Who gives us the right to decide the fate of so many innocent living beings? God gave us a planet to share with our fellow creatures. If we believe that the dog population is increasing what can we say about us multiplying like bacteria? Who’s to take charge of our headcount and control it?

Just because these animals that can’t express their plight and protest, do we (the educated class) keep quiet and let this happen? Is it right to keep mum and watch things happen to our fellow planeteers? Look into their eyes and you’ll see the innocence.

- I know there are a lot of things that are happening that we can’t do much about. But, this is something we can stand up and DO. Besides, protesting, we could proactively do certain things :

- Identify those animals in your neighbourhood that have rabid tendencies and contact NGOs like CUPA, SPCA, etc.. Again, do not conclude that every ferocious dog in a pack is rabid. Every pack has one or two aggressive dogs who lead the rest.

- If new pups are born in your locaility, call these NGOs and get them to collect these pups and they will make sure they are vaccinated and neutered so that they don’t reproduce. All such dogs have a part of their skin on their ear clipped out.

- Spread the word around among friends in other places of work and to Corporates. I believe that big Corporates have a social responsibility too and can do a lot to sort this situation out.

- We could adopt some strays. Believe me, the kind of love they will shower on you, is unbelievable until you have one. Don’t just go by their looks,there is something within them that is so beautiful and unconditional at all times, and that is the love they will shower on you. It never wanes under any situation. Each day, it begins afresh, only better. If at all there is a distance created between a dog and a human, it will never be because of the dog !

Since we have taken a lot from this planet, let’s give something back when we can.

Do something…anything positive, that you, in your might and capacity, can do.

Also, thank you for being patient enough to read through this. If this read has done as much as to move your heart, I guess that’s the first step.

But, please don’t laugh it off as a joke.