Unacceptable Cruelty to Animals

Animals have been my constant companions for the past seven decades and more. Dogs, cats, sheep and goats along with rabbits and guinea pigs and at one time a cow. We have shared a symbiotic relationship these many years as I cared for them while they provided milk, companionship and security. After my childhood menagerie, and my children’s pets and horses, we are now left with a few dogs that are our guardians and friends. Our duty to them is to make sure that they are fed and have fresh water, look after their medical needs and provide an adequate space for them to exercise while keeping their living areas clean. They in turn amuse us with their antics and bark at anyone who arrives in the yard.

My siblings and I were fortunate that my parents taught us at an early age to treat animals with respect and with due consideration for their well being. Thus when dogs reach a terminal point in their life and are in great distress I have a veterinarian terminate life as humanely as possible unless death comes naturally.

Whenever I have acquired an animal the first consideration was the appropriate space to keep the animal and the support system to ensure proper feeding and care. All too often a friendly puppy is adopted by an individual or a family without realizing that the dog may grow into a rather large animal that is difficult to control particularly if it is poorly trained and socialized.

The practice of keeping dogs for dog fighting along with the attendant brutality of the training regime for fighting dogs is an abhorrent practice and all too prevalent in Barbados. It speaks to a savagery that is not only directed to dogs but to the whole animal kingdom including man. It speaks of a disregard for life on so many levels that it is exhibited in the casting off of unwanted creatures in the most cruel, inhumane and savage manner that does no credit to our society.

With increasing regularity dogs are found with their paws bound with wire or rope and stuffed in a bag and dumped on the side of the road to die of thirst. Those that are lucky enough to be rescued by good Samaritans are often found to have been severely beaten, starved and tortured. These lucky few are often restored to health and live out the rest of their lives as treasured pets of a loving family even though some may be crippled as a result of the savage brutality of a former owner of unspeakable cruelty.

The incidence of animal cruelty is not unrelated to domestic violence and child abuse for those who would beat a dog to death would not think twice about assaulting a spouse or child in a fit of rage.

In an agrarian society where animals and livestock were a part of community life, children were taught to care and look after them, thus developing a more humane relationship between man and beast. In today’s urbanized world it is evident that there is a need for children to be taught how to look after animals and develop a respect for all life. This in turn might lead to a reduction in violent conflict resolution in our society.

phillip.goddard@braggadax.com