We need to teach empathy to our children towards animals

Animals are treated poorly across Pakistan, where poachers pose a constant threat to wildlife, animals in our national parks and zoo also face physical and psychological health issues, the domestic or farm animals live in poor conditions too that nobody talks about as if the issue is non-existent to them. Every year these animals catch horrible diseases that we dont get to hear about until we lose a significant number of these poor animals. Even our stray animals face a constant neglect and cold bitterness from the society. It seems that the only fortunate animals in Pakistan are ones we consider pets and in many cases pet owners also face constant criticism.

Pakistan has a geographic location that breeds a lot of exquisite animals for centuries, since Pakistan is blessed with fertile land; we humans were not the only ones who thought it would be a nice idea to call this place home, animals thought so too. Provided that majority follow Islam that has been very clear about the ethical treatment of animals yet we pay no importance towards their suffering inflicted by us.

Eid ul Adha (Biggest Islamic Festival of Pakistan) celebrated each year brings horrible inhumane videos to social media. Many disturbing videos stormed on Facebook last year on Eid. We have seen amateurs butchers physically abusing and torturing animals that are suppose to be sacrificed in the name of God, we also saw some people struggling to control a bull ending up shooting it multiple times as it desperately tries to run away from death all scared and screaming (all within closed walls). Despite of many local bull fights we have seen that people are least bothered about the remains of these animals either if the abuse was not enough already. That further causes threats to stray dogs, cats and birds too.

If we want to see how nice we are to animals all year we should visit our local chicken or meat shops or markets. Our local chicken and meat shops show the ignorance and cold bitterness that we feed our families on and it exists on both sides of buying and selling. We never complain why the poor chicken is left to struggle in agonizing pain from slithered throat thrown in a blue plastic drum and why all other chickens get to see the butchery patiently waiting for their turn in a stinky unhygienic cage full of flies and their own excrement. We are so used to seeing this violent practice that we have stopped considering it a problem at all, even if Islam stands against it we still dont care. Islam forbids all such violent and ignorant acts, we can’t let the animals see or hear the sacrifice.

Our children learn and pick up things by watching us, if they see their elders treating animals with cruelty, disgust and hate, they would follow their footsteps in Pakistan. The way we treat animals in Pakistan feels like a psychological disorder and this endemic needs to be treated NOW. People are taking their frustrations out on poor animals and we as a society dont see this is as an alarming issue. We have seen a poor donkey beaten to death in a political parade held by supporters of a ruling political party, some raised their voice but were not loud enough to be heard by the majority and they dont care either. This can only be fixed if we teach our children to love animals; children should not be imposed with a thought of hating an animal just because it is an animal.

Last year we saw Stephen Stacey from Portsmouth, England taking internet by storm for shooting and uploading a video of a cat put in microwave oven to be cooked alive. Courts were alerted and Stacey was taken away immediately while people in England aggressively condemned his act and demanded that he should be given an extreme punishment for his disturbing act while being tested for his mental condition as well. Whereas in Pakistan even the most sane voices stand least bothered towards such violent and disturbing acts of violence against animals.

Some people themselves have taken initiative to raise awareness for animal rights but the threat we face today needs to be addressed by the government so the ethical and moral treatment of animals would be ensured. Dr. Asmah working as veterinary specialist has been an active animal rights advocate in Lahore and has been raising stray cats and dogs at her house without any external support, ‘it breaks my heart to see poor animals in pain, so I do what I can, I have 7 cats and 4 dogs, I treat them like my children and the love I get back from these beautiful souls is priceless that makes all my efforts worth it’ she said.

Anybody violating animal rights and safety should be seen in Pakistan as Gunah e Kabeerah (gravely sinful act in Islam) so the religious majority will be change their minds about animals. It needs to be condemned by all citizens to show that we still have conscious. Any animal abuse should be made punishable by courts and other concerned authorities. This will all come into play IF we teach our young generations in schools/homes to love and respect ALL animals.

The softer they will be towards animals the better, I hope this madness stops soon.