We are all cruel to animals

THE EDITOR: There is rejoicing in the camp of the animal activists, lovers and NGOs on hearing of the penalty for cruelty to animals: $100,000 and one year imprisonment.

There is confusion amongst those on the fringes for much explanation is needed as to what constitutes cruelty and to which animals.

At first glance, the definition of animals seemed confined to cats and dogs and cruelty ranging from beating to torture, maiming and killing. I will extend the parameters.

We buy sprays to kill mosquitoes, cockroaches and flies. Is that cruelty to these insects? We poison rats that we consider a menace. Cruelty? Then we kill fowls, fishes, cows, goats, sheep and pigs for food. Cruelty?

We house stray dogs and cats but we neuter and spay them without their consent. Cruelty? Sometimes, due to lack of funding, we do not give them enough to eat. Cruelty?

There is what we call hunting season when licences are granted to kill “game” for extended periods: agouti, lappe, deer, iguanas and other wild species. Cruelty?

The adverse effects of the explosion of fireworks, instilling fear and confusion. Cruelty?

Our beloved zoo that will take a lion from the jungle and house it in a cage, merely 2500 square feet. Take an ostrich from the plains of Africa and confine it in accommodation that is not even one square mile. Catch birds from the vastness of the sky and put them in cages that are not even one-millionth that size. Cruelty?

All the snakes, giraffes, tigers and others that are seemingly protected but emasculated lose their instincts to hunt and are treated to man-made lunches and dinners. Eventually they die in captivity, more from distress than natural causes. Cruelty?

If the zoo is to continue its function and not be one of the masterminds of cruelty it can do so electronically. The life of every animal on the planet could be recorded digitally. This method could accommodate quantity at a very low cost to the keepers while giving minute details of each specie to the public, which can literally go into the lion’s den.

There is world-renowned cruelty to animals – drug testing using “lab rats.” Scientists breed certain animals to harvest certain drug ingredients from them. Products of the suffering of animals are reaped for vaccines. What is worse these same animals are slaughtered when they are no longer productive.

Even when animals are sick and we treat them (not allowing them to source their own remedies) with human potions we inflict grave physical and neurological injuries on them.

There is total disregard for the rights of animals when humans seek their own comfort and health. Who is qualified to protect the animals and to make laws to defend them?

The civilised society of the future will protect animals and will even sentence a man to death for killing a tree.

LENNOX FRANCIS

Couva