ANIMALS deserve kindness, even more than human beings because they cannot speak.

Unfortunately, our nation’s outlook in this matter is quite murky. Instances of stoning and torturing stray cats, kittens, puppies, etc., and merciless beating of the beasts of burden are common.

The case of the untold torture and cruelty meted out to two donkeys by some miscreants is hideous and most abhorrent; besides the shooting down of a labeling it as a supporter of certain political party.

In the 2013 elections, a political party carried a tigress in a congested cage for hours along their rally in the hot season. The conditions zoo animals are kept in are known to everyone.

Conditions for animals in other countries are better. In Thailand stray dogs are neutered and spayed instead of being killed. In Istanbul restaurants regularly offer food to stray cats, and people performing ablution in mosques help kittens drink water.

Even in war-torn Afghanistan, there is an organisation for the welfare of stray cats. It is interesting to note that several American soldiers rescued cats and kittens while in Afghanistan, and became so attached to them that they sent them back home in the US. In Egypt, there is law for animal protection.

Prime Minister Imran Khan in his first address to nation stressed upon the need for prevalence of kindness in society. Let us hope that he will extend kindness to animals as well.

Prof (Dr) Surayya Khatoon

Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2018