I vividly recall the time when a box of chocolate milk was thrown over our perimeter wall by a neighbor. The incident was particularly troubling because I had a small dog who could have potentially consumed it and faced serious harm or even death. The wall was quite high, making it unlikely for this act to be accidental. It left me with a deep sense of unease and paranoia, wondering if I had neighbors with malicious intentions. In response, all I could do was remain vigilant and ensure that my dog was never left alone in our backyard.
Unfortunately, recent weeks have brought forth a surge of distressing news stories highlighting acts of animal cruelty and killings. Shockingly, a mall security guard intentionally threw a helpless puppy over a pedestrian overpass. Another incident involved a neighbor’s dog being shot with a gun. And most recently, a tourist’s dog was discovered being devoured by two fishermen after going missing. As a devoted pet owner, these stories and the accompanying images break my heart. The mere thought of anyone inflicting harm on a being that we consider a cherished part of our family fills me with a sense of empathy and understanding for the fictional character John Wick.
This calls for an urgent need to raise awareness about the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that people understand that harming animals is not acceptable. The fact that the security guard could casually commit such an act in front of others indicates a lack of realization that this is a serious crime. It is important to note that the Animal Welfare Act explicitly states that killing animals, other than those designated for food such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, and horses, is unlawful. It is also illegal to torture animals or subject them to severe neglect. The amended act further prohibits the abandonment of pets without justifiable reason or proper care. Those found guilty of violating this law can face fines and imprisonment.
Our treatment of animals speaks volumes about our character as human beings. If we display cruelty towards animals while seemingly showing respect to fellow humans, it is only a matter of time before this cruelty seeps into our relationships with other people. There is a strong correlation between animal cruelty and violence against humans, including intimate partner violence and child abuse. Studies have shown that individuals who are cruel to animals are more likely to perpetrate violence against their partners and children. Furthermore, those who exhibit cruelty towards animals have an increased tendency to commit heinous crimes such as murder, rape, and assault. It is worth noting that cruelty to animals during childhood is considered one of the criteria for conduct disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by aggressive and destructive behaviors. However, it is important to recognize that children with this disorder often have a history of experiencing or witnessing abuse themselves. Individuals with conduct disorder also have a higher likelihood of developing antisocial personality disorder in adulthood. This cycle of violence persists, making animal cruelty an alarming warning sign.
Cruelty towards animals also reflects a lack of empathy. Essentially, cruelty can be defined as exhibiting violent behavior without feelings of empathy or remorse. This reinforces the significance of taking animal cruelty seriously, especially when observed in children. It suggests that the child is incapable of considering the emotions of others or feeling concern for someone in pain. However, there is good news – empathy can be cultivated. This is why I strongly advocate practicing empathy even towards people or groups that we may dislike. Once we begin to disregard empathy in certain situations, our overall capacity for empathy diminishes, potentially leading to a path of cruelty. If we draw a dividing line between humans and animals in terms of cruelty, it becomes a slippery slope that may rationalize harming groups of people we no longer perceive as “human.” Throughout history, this has been applied to ethnic minorities, women, children, and sexual minorities. Therefore, it is essential to address animal cruelty with the utmost seriousness. This applies particularly to domesticated animals and household pets who have been conditioned to be docile and are thus more susceptible to abusive treatment. Dogs, for instance, have the ability to develop learned helplessness. Despite their physical capabilities, they choose not to fight back and remain with abusive owners because they have been taught to do so.
Some may argue that humans have been granted “dominion” over animals. If this is the case, let us exercise our authority responsibly and refrain from abusing those under our care. Let us be stewards instead of tyrants.
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