Voice against cruelty towards domestic animals

“The question is not, ‘can they reason?’ nor, ‘can they talk?’ but, ‘can they suffer?”

- Jeremy Bentham -

Animal cruelty otherwise referred as animal abuse is no secret in the 21st century. In simplest terms, animal cruelty means any form of ill- treatment or torture that inflicts unnecessary pain on the animals. It may come in physical, emotional, sexual violence or threats, and the methods used will differ according to the person and the situation. Although this inhumane activity has been in light since a long time, with the developments in technology and the increase in the rate of conducting researches and other experiments, today, animals have been used mercilessly in larger numbers as mere objects, especially at the domestic level. The humans have turned hostile and their thinking patterns have been changed as a result of running behind a rat race for money, fame and power. As a result they often inflict pain or any other form of cruelty on the pets they have adopted, knowingly or unknowingly. But why do animals have to be punished for peoples’ mistakes and wishes? Why do animals have to suffer even after you willingly bring them to your home? Their inability to speak or reason is not a valid reason that you can use your pet as you want or neglect their well-being. Even animals have feelings just like us. A right to take care of your pets forms at the exact moment when you adopt them.

Considering the reasons and forms of animal cruelty towards domestic animals, it should be also noted that animal cruelty is linked with domestic violence as well. Since domestic violence is associated with power and control, people often vent their problems and any other related issue on the pets they have adopted. Some use animals as a form of threatening another person while some put animals’ lives in danger deliberately, in order to instill fear among the family members or the neighborhood. Among the many cases reported on animal cruelty in Sri Lanka, often they revolve around personal feelings of the persons. Cruelty against animals are often reported as caging pets for a long time without giving food or freedom, burning them alive using kerosene oil, tar or any type of fuel, breaking their limbs, shooting, abandoning them at roads or religious places and pouring acid to their faces. This clearly proves that the majority of the pets who have been adopted undergo a certain type of violence at any moment in their life.

Further, among the many cases reported annually, only a handful gain justice and most of the cases vanish into thin air without even being exposed to justice. This clearly portrays the need for rigid laws within the Sri Lankan legal regime, and the need of proper awareness on how to stop these actions. Although there are several legislations bearing the penalties and offences which a person will be held liable if engaged in such activity, and several Bills have been brought to pass by the Government, none of them have been able to eradicate cruelty towards domestic animals, completely. As a result, the amount of cases remains in trajectory.

In my opinion, Sri Lanka needs proper legal system and awareness on how to protect animals, especially domestic animals, and on what the people should do to eradicate animal cruelty. The persons in the society should be informed to report any case they witness of such cruelty to the nearest police station or to any other Non-Governmental Organization who would take the initiative to report such actions and take legal measures. Also by holding campaigns and various other projects, people can step forward and voice against cruelty towards domestic animals. Most importantly, think before you act and think whether you possess the ability to adopt as well as reserve your time for your pet, before adopting them.

- Rtr. Malithi Fernando -