This blog is
about a topic that is very dear to me as I feel that it is not highlighted
enough, among others, such as Child and Elder Abuse.
Ever since I
have had my bunny, I have thought what is the mentality behind people who are
cruel to such beautiful and amazing animals whether it be a dog, cat, rabbit,
bird or fish, small or big in size. All the cute things that Sushi (my bunny, a
few of my family members jokingly asked when will she be big enough to eat thus
she was named Sushi) does - cleaning her ears or feet, grooming herself,
running around like crazy in the garden when I take her out to play, following
me around or stuffing her head under my hand wanting to be stroked for longer.
Apart from the few boo boos when she can’t find her litter tray and being a
cheeky monkey chewing on things like the carpet when she is not supposed to,
she is really well behaved.
Why do
people get pets if they can’t handle them, I like most pet owners, did thorough
research before getting my pet bunny – what food she eats, the monthly costs of
food, hay and sawdust, other needs that she may require like exercise time,
toys and how to bunny proof my house, what environment she can live in, where
the nearest vet is and if I need to go away; a reputable boarding house for my
bunny where I know she will be well looked after, and so on. Keeping in mind
there is a great responsibility in taking care of an animal and if one doesn’t
feel they can handle it at the current time then it is best not to get a pet
just yet.
I understand
that people may be upset or stressed about something but that doesn’t mean you
take it out on an innocent animal by neglecting/abusing them. I feel my bunny
is more of a comfort to me when I am upset or stressed about something.
Just to be
clear, animal cruelty comes in many forms and includes farm animals, some
examples:
- Hitting, kicking, screaming. throwing, torturing or otherwise harming an animal in such a way as to cause distress and/or injury;
- Abandoning an animal, so that it requires to fend for itself;
- Failing to provide proper care (food, water, veterinary care as required);
- Failing to provide shelter from the elements (heat, cold, rain, snow etc.);
- Failing to take note of the general well-being of an animal (grooming, teeth, nails/claws, beaks, lack of exercise and stimulation, companionship, worming and flea treatment);
- Keeping an animal chained up so that it is unable to seek proper access to shelter, food and water. Chaining an animal up for long periods could also lead to strangulation as it moves around and becomes entangled in the chain or rope;
- Using an animal for dangerous sports (eg. Dog-fighting, cock-fighting etc.) Either of these will cause harm and possibly death to one or both of the animals involved. People who take part in these 'sports' have no regard for the animals fighting, their only aim is to seek monetary gain.
The best way
I like to put it - how would you like it if the same was done to you? What if
you were placed in a crapped area or not given enough food or water and are living
in unhygienic conditions? Of course you would not like it, so why treat these
poor, adorable and cuddly creatures the same.
Every day I
feel blessed that I have a pet bunny and am able to enjoy all the cute things
she does (I got her when she was about a month old so = tiny and cute! Obviously
she isn’t small any more but still is cute), and just hope and pray that other
animals get to have the same love and care that I give to my bunny.
I have also watched
horrifying videos of people/youths torturing or burning kittens or puppies ALIVE.
It is upsetting to find some people can be so heartless and cruel for their own
enjoyment. I have not given the said link as it is too horrifying to watch and
will not be going into more detail either.
Many people
and organizations are trying their level best to put a halt to cruelty to
animals but unfortunately for some animals, we don’t get there on time, they
may have been traumatized too much or that their injuries are too great that
they may need to be put down.
Even after
the hell that some animals go through they still have love and trust to give to
their new and loving owners.
I would also
like to add that we should all try to give donations, however small of an amount it is, to help animals in need. Every little helps! J
Bullfighting, to me, is another form of torture as these animals
are forced to fight, I understand it is a tradition for some people but the
animals are provoked into fighting and some are tortured all for pleasure.
Bullfighting is a traditional spectacle in Spain, Portugal,
Southern France and some Hispanic American countries (Mexico, Colombia,
Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru). For more information about bullfighting please
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfighting.
Supporters of bullfighting argue that it is a culturally
important tradition and a fully developed art form on par with painting,
dancing and music while animal rights advocates hold that it is a blood sport
resulting in the suffering of bulls and horses which I tend to agree with. A
more thorough research of bullfighting made me gasp in horror at the way that
some animals where treated in a few videos that I saw on Youtube (I didn’t want
to watch more).
Cruelty to animals and humans should be advertised much more as there
are many forms of advertisement available and we should try to give support however
we can including by donating money to help those individuals who are less fortunate
than us and need our help.
As always, thank you for reading.
Hibs
