There is nothing bad in using animals for human consumption like food, clothing, entertainment, fun, pet and research but doing all these things in a way that inflict suffering, unnecessary pain to animal will indeed result in animal cruelty or animal abuse. Animal cruelty involves gratuitously inflicting harm, injury or killing an animal. The cruelty can be intentional, such as kicking, burning, stabbing, beating or shooting; or it can be in form of neglect such as depriving an animal of water, shelter, food, and necessary medical treatment.
While intentional cruelty is rare in Nigeria, the neglect of animal is rampant, even in institutions where animal welfare is supposed to be top priorities. Buying a pet or keeping livestock one cannot cater for will soon lead to animal cruelty. It is therefore advisable for one to know the management as well as cost of maintaining animals before investing in it. Besides, one must have time to take care of the animal, if not it is better not to subscribe into it.
Medical treatment is also one of the most common neglecting act which subsequently results in animal cruelty in this part of the world. In most cases, veterinarian’s clients will sacrifice the health of their animals for other frivolous things. Animals are living things like you and they should be treated like one.
Many times, farmers who practise intensive system of farming where they are expected to provide basic amenities such as food, shelter and medication are found wanting in that regard. These animals at the end of the day suffer effortlessly and some may be starved to death. What a cruel act! Intensive system of rearing animal need full attention so as to make the business profitable and also make the animal flourish and develop perfectly without suffering from pain resulting from improper management.
Also, Bull/ Ram fighting is an inhumane act that is now seen as legal and common sport in Nigeria. Animal are maimed and injured all because of fun and entertainment of humans. This is totally bad and should be frowned at.
Slaughtering is different from killing. Animals should be slaughtered properly if at all they are reared for eating. Killing associated with suffering or unnecessary pain should be avoided.
Animals especially small animals and rat-like animals are common laboratory animals used for research purposes. Researchers should handle these animals with care and always go for less painful method during the course of their research. Animals should be properly slaughtered after research to preclude further and unnecessary pain before the animals die.
In order to reach lasting solution to animal cruelty, Nigeria should adopt some laws made by some other countries towards achieving animal welfare and preventing animal cruelty. Take Egypt, South Africa and South Sudan as examples. Egyptian law states that anyone who inhumanly beats or intentionally kills a domesticated animal may be jailed or fined. In fact, it was recorded that in the ancient Egyptian law, the killers of cats or dogs were executed.
South African Act on animal protection contains detailed list of prohibited acts of cruelty like overloading, causing unnecessary suffering due to confinement, chaining or tethering, abandonment, unnecessary defying food or water, keeping in a dirty or parasitic condition and failing to provide veterinary assistance.
Furthermore, some parts of South Sudan law against maltreatment of animals reads; whoever cruelly beats, tortures or otherwise willfully ill-treats by tamed domestic or wild animal which are previously been deprived of its liberty or promotes or organizes fights between cocks, rams, bulls or other domestic animals or encourages such acts commits an offence, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not more than two months or with a fine.
Adding to adoption of laws against animal maltreatment, veterinarians should sensitize their clients about significance of animal welfare and disadvantages involve in maltreatment of animals by starvation, delay treatment etc. Societies flourish if we can all correct abnormalities in our environment, we should all be animal activist fighting against animal cruelty and clamoring for animal welfare.
In conclusion, animals are meant for our enjoyment and satisfaction, however, subjecting all these animals to suffering all because of our satisfaction should be totally avoided.
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