Drowning of birds a cruel act

THE EDITOR: It is one of the saddest and most horrifying news stories in the media lately. I refer to the inhumane and horrendous action by the crew of a pirogue off Cedros who callously threw 47 live exotic birds into the sea while confined in wicker baskets. The poor birds slowly drowned.

The late Mohandas Gandhi once said, “You know a people by the way they treat their animals.”

When we look closely at this we understand that since God created everything in the world and made man the highest of His creations with control over the plants and animals, then any mistreatment of the flora and fauna given to us for our use is tantamount to ungratefulness and rebellion.

The actions of these men towards these birds, including macaws, orange-winged parrots, and caciques and which were made for pure beauty and enjoyment, is one of the most upsetting things for a human being to do. According to the media reports, the perpetrators will be charged with possession of protected animals without a permit and having second schedule animals in the closed season. This carries a fine of $10,000.

But what about the bigger crime of cruelty to animals? I think this issue must be brought into the picture and if found guilty of this inhumane act the perpetrators should be made to pay for their selfish and dastardly actions.

WKS HOSEIN

Chaguanas