Amanpreet Kaur

HOW ARE STRAY ANIMALS MISTREATED? HOW CAN WE STOP IT?

In 2017, a medical student from Chennai tossed a dog from the rooftop of a five-storeyed building, and another friend filmed the whole act. The poor stray was diagnosed with multiple fractures and was treated for a year before she could walk again.

Nakul Mishra, a resident of New Delhi came to be known as “Delhi’s serial dog killer” after having stabbed one dog to death and leaving three others injured in April 2016.

How many times did you think of a street pup before burning crackers? How many times did you think whether that handicapped dog you saw lying on the street had access to sufficient food and water? How many times did you throw holi colors, stones, and pebbles on the poor dogs and cats just because they came in your way or for fun?

Humans are losing humanity. Animal abuse is increasing at a tremendous rate and it is both worrying and gruesome. On one hand, animals are considered more than just animals in India and are worshipped religiously and on the other, they are shooed away, beaten, and disregarded on Indian streets. The sadistic humans who inflict pain in the lives of these animals do so for fun, getting more likes on social media or in a fit of “anger”, neither of which is a valid excuse.

Mahatma Gandhi once quoted, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Photo by Stas Svechnikov on Unsplash

Millions of stray dogs and cats live on the streets of India. The upsurge in the population of stray dogs on Indian streets is credited to improper garbage management and lack of NGOs and government organizations to take care of these creatures. Most of these stray dogs and cats are feared because of the possibility that they might carry rabies with them. But it should also be taken into consideration that a majority of these animals are not aggressive and bite only if provoked. The issue that is perturbing is that these voiceless creatures are often seen as a nuisance and are exposed to inhumane treatment.

However, there are a few laws that were made in favor of the voiceless and those who are working towards the well-being of these animals. According to sections 428 and 429 of the Indian Penal Code and the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960, it is illegal to maim or cause injury to any animal. It is also against the law to relocate stray animals under Section 11(1) (i) and Section 11(1) (j), PCA Act, 1960. A very contentious issue that came forward recently was whether it is legal to feed stray animals or not. The answer is YES. Feeding of dogs is legally permitted and any animal lover attempting to do so is protected under Article 51 A (g).

Photo by Stas Svechnikov on Unsplash

Despite all the laws and acts that are made to protect our four-legged buddies, it is extremely common to see people (or I would say evils) make their lives difficult. It is almost every day that we find videos on social media with trigger warnings relating to street animal abuse. Even while we are on roads, it is common to see children and young adults throwing stones on the strays for their enjoyment and

This has to stop.

But how?

First and foremost it is vital to sow the seeds of kindness and love for animals in children at a young age. Children have a very high grasping power and it is necessary to harness this ability into something useful. Educating children about how to treat animals with courtesy makes them sensitive and develops a caring attitude in their hearts. Banners and posters on “How to treat animals” should be put up in all the posh and major areas of the cities and towns to spread awareness among the general public. Animal lovers should think twice before adopting animals and not differentiate between pets and strays. In addition to that, there is a need to open more shelter homes, NGOs, and registered firms who will work in favor of the voiceless and provide them with food and water. Funding from the government is bound to make the process easier and efficient. Lastly, there is a need for stricter and more effective laws against animal cruelty so that people hesitate to treat the strays in precarious ways.

Photo by JR Harris on Unsplash

Animals too have a right to live without pain. We should see them as a part of our society rather than treating them as a burden. After all, we share the planet with them. We must take care of them when they are unable to take care of themselves as we are part of the same family. 

“Compassion for animals is intimately connected with goodness of character; and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.”