Recent articles in the media have reported terrible cases of cruelty to animals. One case involved a dog that died because it was kept locked in a cage, without exercise, food, or water. Another involved a man who beat a small dog to death to stop it from barking while he was watching TV. Write a letter to the SCMP discussing the problem of animal cruelty in Hong Kong and suggesting three ways to promote responsible pet ownership.
Dear Editor,
Keeping pets is always a sign of uplifting living standard in our society. Not only does this habit reveal the affluence of people, but it also reflects an increase in the amount of leisure time we have. Nevertheless, the greater enjoyment seems to be tantamount to greater sufferings of the adopted pets. Scandals of animal cruelty are so prevalent that it casts weight on the issue. It is really an appropriate time for us to eradicate such an inhumane problem through educational and judiciary means.
To begin with, the problem can be depicted in mental and legislative ways. In the realm of psychological factors, animal cruelty is regarded by some as an emotional escape from daily stress. It is common for many people to keep pets simply due to entertainment purposes, while puppies are considered nothing more than toys and tools. The respect they receive as living creatures always decline. As a result, in times of miserable feelings and uneasiness, masters will be very likely to beat their pets so as to relieve their pressure. A recent survey puts forward that pet owners mistreat their pets mostly because of their own emotional issues, which have nothing to do with the pets themselves. Therefore, accumulating stress really contributes to the problem of animal cruelty.
Despite mental issues, the glaring loopholes in our legislation also escalate the severity of cruelty. Under present laws, pet owners though may be fined or sent to imprisonment if they torture their pets, its deterrence is limited as little enforcement has been done by the authority. Often the tortured ones are discovered in media coverage instead of the government. When compared to the actual number of the charged cases, numbers shown in official statistics are surely a tip of the iceberg. It lures Hong Kong people to torture their pets more on the grounds that these incidents will not be revealed. Therefore, an insufficient execution of law undoubtedly aggravates the situation.
As a civilized society, we are in no grounds to disrespect and torture our pets ruthlessly. On the other hand, measures can be implemented to eliminate the inhumane action.
Education should come in the first priority to avert the situation. Potential pet owners have to be made known of all possible risks and difficulties that keeping a pet consists of. For instance, leaflets and publications containing guidelines can be distributed to pet shop customers in advance of their purchase or adoption. It prepares them both physically and mentally of how difficult taking care of a pet can be. Telephone hotlines can be set up by some pet shops and NGOs like SPCA to answer the inquires of new pet owners, and encourage them to build a relationship with their pets. Only after the pet owners view their pets as life-long partners will they peacefully live together.
Apart from education, a supervision scheme ca neb generated to assure the physical conditions of the pets are fine. When customers buy the animals, they will have to sign a contract with the pet shop to visit there once every three months for health check and other treatments. If injuries are found, the pet shop can then contact other officials for further investigations and inspections. It can act as a deterrent for pet owners as they will be easily spotted of their irresponsible behaviour. The number of animal cruelty will decline as a result.
Moreover, if indoctrination and supervision are ineffective, legislation can be the last resort and the strictest way. For instance, any kinds of animal cruelty may cost the offenders years or months of imprisonment, instead of paying the fines. Pet owners will thing twice before torturing their pets bearing in mind such tremendous consequences. As a result, scandals of animal abuse will surely be falling.
To conclude, even the ancient Chinese philosopher, Mencius, stressed the importance of treating all living creatures well. We, with him being our ancestor, should spare no pain to act against animal cruelty by putting his words in to practice.
Yours faithfully,
Chris Wong