We may have come across instances of cruelty to animals in the news every now and again; we do hear people express their hatred towards animals, especially dogs, because of fear. As a converted pet parent, I would generally ignore those posts as rants, but a recent ghastly event outside our very own Gate 2, has prompted me to think about it a little more.
Last month, a driver who had accompanied some guests into AOH was caught attempting to r**e a street dog outside the Gate 2 premises. When our animal rights heroes, Reeya and Ashish (8234) happened to be returning after feeding the dogs, they spotted the man, in an inebriated state, attempting to do the unspeakable.
Luckily for the poor animal, the man panicked as both engaged him in a conversation. The first thing that the cruel man stated was that he would ‘harm’ the dog!!
That brought to light the ease with which a human being can harm another sentient being, without any regret or remorse. This is over and above what malintent he may have had in his alcohol-fuelled mind.
To think that constantly thinking/ opining about doing something cruel has to be an innate state of mind rather than something which is tutored – how can human ‘beings’ think of doing this? As if this was not enough, in the last one year, five-six babies have been killed on Janpath because one of us was careless on the road for a moment.
Yet, no punishment could have been given!
Unfortunately, in our country, the laws, while in place, are a joke. According to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the penalty for such an offence is a mere INR 50, and/or up to three months of prison, and could never be a deterrent.
While we have many petitions to bring in stricter punishments and re-looking at a few of the clauses, it is incumbent upon us to have more sympathy and kindness towards all living beings, especially those which may not be as fortunate as to have any other dwellings but the roadside.
If we want our children to grow up to make the world a better place, it has to start with us; how we think and behave with those that cannot offer anything to us.
