By Sherry Carelyne Marwein & Preyoshi Barbie B Marak
“There is no fundamental difference between man and the higher mammals in their mental facilities,” — Charles Darwin
Animal abuse is a deliberate harm, neglect or misuse of animals by humans resulting in the animals’ suffering, physically or emotionally. It can occur anywhere at any time when humans and animals interact.
Animals, like humans, do have the right to live a happy and free life on Earth. Everyday countless animals die and suffer at the hands of few people who continuously abuse them either physically or emotionally. A large number of animals are abused on daily basis just to meet the daily requirements of human life. For example: entertaining purposes, unnecessary scientific experiment and inhumane method of slaughtering animals.
Animals do have feelings like us but sometimes we don’t understand what they are going through because they cannot express and tell their feelings in the language we speak in.
People sometimes abuse animals by thinking it is the only way to treat them or they see animals as an object, forgetting they too have a family of their own.
Animal abuse is a common topic in every household and we as humans can act and speak, stand up for them because by taking small steps we can bring about a lot of changes not only to our society but to the whole world.
Humane Society International, India, has given 15 Animal laws that every citizen of India should know.
1. It is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to have compassion for all living creatures.
2. It is a punishable offence to kill or maim any animals, including stray animals.
3. Abandoning a pet animal is an offense punishable by law.
4. No animal (including chickens) can be slaughtered in any place other than a slaughter house. Sick or pregnant animals shall not be slaughtered.
5. Stray dogs cannot be relocated by any person or authority. Only specified groups may capture them for sterilization and release.
6. Denying any animal food, shelter, water and exercise or confining him for long periods is neglect and is punishable by law.
7. It is illegal and punishable to own monkeys and parakeets.
8. Bear, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls are prohibited from being trained and used for entertainment purposes, either in circuses or streets.
9. Animal sacrifice is illegal in every part of the country.
10. Organizing of a participatory in or inciting any animal fight is a cognizable offense.
11. Cosmetic tested on animals and the import of cosmetics tested on animals is banned.
12. Teasing, feeding or distributing animals in zoo and littering in the zoo are punishable offense.
13. Capturing, trapping, poisoning or baiting a wild animal is punishable by law.
14. Disturbing or destroying eggs or nests of birds and reptiles or chopping a tree having a nest of such birds and reptiles or even attempting to do so constitutes to hunting is illegal and punishable.
15. Transporting animals in any manner that causes discomfort, pain or suffering is a punishable offense. Confining hens in battery cages is a violation.
Saving one animal might not change the world but surely the world will change for that one animal. So, we should all try and report immediately in case we come across any animal being abused. Also, because people who abuse animals are more likely to abuse other people in the near future. In this way, it will not only help the animal but will help the world to be a better and safer place to live in for everyone.
(The authors are associated with College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry, Selesih, Aizawl)