I can still vividly recall the incident when a box of chocolate milk was thrown over our perimeter wall by one of our neighbors. What made this act so alarming was the fact that I had a small dog, and had he consumed the milk before I intervened, it could have been fatal for him.
The wall was quite tall, making it implausible for someone to accidentally throw the box over. I strongly believed that this act was malicious and targeted towards my dog. However, at that time, my hands were tied, and I felt a sense of helplessness and fear towards my potentially dangerous neighbors. The only action I could take was to remain vigilant and ensure that my dog was never left alone in our backyard.
In recent weeks, there has been a disturbing increase in incidents of animal cruelty and killings in the Philippines. Stories have emerged of a mall security guard throwing a defenseless puppy over a pedestrian overpass, someone shooting a neighbor’s dog with a gun, and most recently, a tourist’s dog being discovered devoured by two fishermen after it went missing.
As a pet owner, these heart-wrenching news reports and accompanying images deeply sadden me. The thought of anyone inflicting harm upon a creature that we consider part of our family is abhorrent, and it triggers an empathetic response within me, akin to the character John Wick from the movies.
Perhaps it is crucial that we increase awareness about the Animal Welfare Act to ensure that people understand that it is unacceptable to harm animals. The fact that a security guard could casually throw a puppy in front of others suggests that he did not view it as a severe crime.
The Animal Welfare Act explicitly states that it is illegal to kill animals other than specific livestock categories, such as cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits, carabaos, and horses. It is also prohibited to subject them to torture or extreme neglect. The amended act likewise makes it unlawful to abandon pet animals without sufficient reason and care. Violating this law could lead to imprisonment and fines for the perpetrator.
Our treatment of animals reflects a great deal about our humanity. If we demonstrate respect towards fellow humans but exhibit outright cruelty towards animals, it is only a matter of time before this callous behavior extends to human-to-human interactions.
There is a well-documented connection between animal cruelty and violence against people, including intimate partner violence and child abuse. Individuals who display cruelty towards animals are more inclined to commit acts of violence against their partners and children in the future. Moreover, those who engage in animal cruelty are also at a higher risk of committing heinous crimes such as murder, rape, and assault.
Acts of cruelty towards animals during childhood are one of the indicators of conduct disorder, a psychiatric condition characterized by aggressive and destructive behaviors in children. However, it is important to note that children with this disorder often have a history of abuse or have witnessed abuse.
Individuals with conduct disorder are also prone to developing antisocial personality disorder later in life. This vicious cycle of violence persists, which is why it is crucial for us to recognize animal cruelty as one of the initial red flags.
Cruelty towards animals also signifies a lack of empathy. In essence, cruelty can be defined as violent behavior devoid of empathy or remorse. This is another reason why animal cruelty deserves our utmost attention, particularly when exhibited by children. It serves as an indication that the child is incapable of considering the feelings of others or feeling concern when someone is in pain.
The encouraging news is that empathy can be cultivated. This is why I strongly advocate for practicing empathy even towards groups of people we may dislike. Turning off empathy during certain moments inevitably leads to a diminished capacity for empathy overall and paves the way for cruelty.
If we draw a distinction between humans and animals regarding cruelty, it becomes a slippery slope where we might feel entitled to harm groups of people whom we no longer view as fully “human.” In history, this has applied to ethnic minorities, women, children, and sexual minorities.
Therefore, it is imperative that we take the issue of animal cruelty with great seriousness. Particularly when it involves domesticated animals or pets, as we have conditioned them to be docile, making them susceptible to abusive behavior from their owners.
Dogs, for instance, possess the ability to learn helplessness. Despite their physical capability, they choose not to fight back and remain with their abusive owners simply because they have been trained to do so.
Some may argue that humans have been granted “dominion” over animals. In that case, let us exercise this dominion with righteousness and refrain from abusing those entrusted to our care. Let us be stewards, rather than tyrants. — Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network
Anna Cristina Tuazon is a psychologist and columnist with the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
