Have you ever wondered what it’d be like to live in a world where everything is against you? Where you’re trying to go by each day feeling like you’re not going to be able to see another. If you’re human and able to speak up, it might be bearable, or at least something that could be resolved. But what if you were an animal, what then? How do you seek help when no one understands what you’re going through? Well, a famous veterinarian by the name of Louis J. Camuti once said “Never believe that animals suffer less than humans, pain is the same for them that it is for us, even worse, because they cannot help themselves”.
Based on the news, animal abuse has been on the rise over the years, and it seems to have shot-up significantly of late- and unfortunately, humans, or rather ‘some humans’ have taken on the role of the ‘monsters’ behind this outrageous conduct. Mistreating, abusing, and starving these innocent beings are only some of the many ways these poor fur babies end up being brutally hurt or, in some tragic cases, eventually dead from the injuries sustained.
Statistics have shown that the rate of animal abuse in Malaysia today has also been on the rise, resulting in more and more of these fur babies being abused on a daily basis. What makes it worse is that rather than demonstrating remorse, these acts of abuse are often justified as a form of stress relief and pleasure by the abusers themselves. While often making headlines (to the general outcry of the public), the question that arises is whether or not cases of animal abuse will reduce- or whether they will continue to soar?
Several notable cases in Malaysia include numerous reports of cats being decapitated-with the most disturbing example involving a man being sentenced to two years in prison for torturing a pregnant kitten in a launderette. And it is not just limited to cats. Dogs, particularly stray dogs, are popular targets for cruelty and mistreatment. There was an incident where a person used an arrow to kill a dog. A man was caught on camera shooting wild canines with an arrow, as seen on CCTV, and continued to do so- despite general protest.
According to Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM), a non-governmental organisation, dog and puppy attacks and maltreatment are on the rise. Dogs are poisoned, dismembered, and dragged to their deaths in this situation. Based on Malaysian Veterinary Services Department (Malaysia Veterinary Services Department) (DVS) in Malaysia, there has been a 30% increase in animal mistreatment. Dogs account for 90% of the abuse, followed by cats. These are the cases that have been reported, but sadly, it is likely that there are many more cases that have gone undetected. On a more positive note, the usage of social media, and the rapidity with which news spreads as a result makes it easier to highlight and track down animal abusers, and to call them out or have them penalised.
To conclude, while hope that animal abuse sees a reduction in cases in the years ahead, we don’t just have to sit by passively. We can all do our part to shed a light on this issue and help speed up to process of preventing incidents of animal cruelty. Currently, several organisations AND individuals are already taking steps to do so- via awareness campaigns, charity events and fundraising campaigns; all carried out in the hope that these abusers can turn over a new leaf, or, at least, be taught a lesson.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. We are well aware that we may not be able to prevent cases of animal cruelty altogether- but in working together, we may be able to effect enough change that no innocent animals will become the target or victim of unnecessary cruelty.
