Animal care
Leader writer: RK Lakhi Kant
It is surprising that the animal lovers of Manipur have remained largely silent spectators to the cruelty meted out to birds and animals. There was a time not so long ago when birds flew around safely and animals did not roam around in hunger. But the times have changed for the worse and it seems there will be no reversal. Manipur today is hell for birds and animals.
This is in a way a sad reflection on the state's love for peace and nonviolence. It is again lamentable that only a negligible number of NGOs in the state have taken up animal care as their mission. In other states and cities has already become a force to reckon with. The citizens of this state too must reflect on this matter and come up with means to sensitize the public of the need to be considerate to animals and birds.
We know there can be no way of disallowing slaughter houses and meat consumption, considering meat is almost a staple of a large section of the people in the country and state, but surely there must be a way to minimize the suffering of the animals fated to be slaughtered for food. It is really a pain to see these animals so cruelly treated during their transported as well as rearing.
Much has been said about the manner in which meat chicken is treated. It is said that all
broiler chicken suffer from heart malfunctioning because their genes have been tampered with to give them voracious appetites as well as to grow at abnormal rates. By the time they are ready for slaughter having attained weight in excess of 5kgs, their natural counterparts have still not grown enough to be called adults. The problem, animal activists around the world tells us, is that their hearts are overworked to meet the demands of the abnormally growing body and before they are killed, suffer from heart malfunctioning. It really is a life condemned.
Not only are their genes tampered with but meat consumers mete out extremely cruel treatment to them even before being dressed for the kitchen. Very often they are transported hanging upside down from speeding two-wheelers with their beaks almost scraping the road and in the chicken slaughterhouses that are mushrooming all over Imphal, they are made to witness the slaughter of other chicken. The poor creatures are also kept in cramped with hardly any space to move.
These sights do reflect a darker side of our society's psyche.
Manipur today is on the tracks of change. With more and more people turning non-vegetarians the market for bird and animal products has increased manifold. Meat animal and bird farms as well as butchers shops are also on a reciprocal increase. As of now one can be sure that hundred percent of livestock dealers are blatantly flouting norms natural human behaviors.
This is where the government as well as concerned NGOs must step in. These agencies must actively spread awareness as much as work up programs to sensitize the public on the need to be more humane to these defenseless animals. Surely we have enough love and respect to spare for these poor creatures. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose from such a gesture. Animals are such lovable creatures. Even as pets or as cart pullers we enjoy their company or get income through them. They too need understanding and some degree of comfort. Leaving them bound for the whole day without any food and water or beating animals are some of the crimes that we must prevent.
It does not matter if those who are cruel are the owners of these animals. There are other ways we can be kind to animals. They too must be guaranteed at least a minimum health care. Pet owners must make sure they consult veterinary doctors and give their pets regular subscribed vaccinations. Though we have the Prevention of cruelty to animals Act of 1960 in force most of the times we find that it is hardly used and authorities turn a blind eye to the suffering of animals.
When our domestic animals are treated thus, one can only imagine how our wild animals and birds are regarded. No wonder, game meat is still sold openly. Some NGOs under the animal welfare board do take action sometimes but their powers are limited. Let us reiterate the point. Animals must be saved from cruelty. Children must be taught not to kill or harangue birds with catapults. Only when we show such care can we call ourselves truly human. We must remember that the world belongs not only to humans but to all other living beings as well.
(Courtesy: The Imphal Free Press) |
Welcome!
International
Features
