1. Posted on Thursday 14 August 2008 - 09:22

   ---

   Jack Meena

   

   • Profile
   • 30 messages

   ---

   Jack Meena

   Who really cares about these beautiful and sin free creatures? Every second and minute, an animal is mistreated by people who don’t understand that animals are santient beings. Animals such as these ones have feelings and therefore experience pains.
   In this part of the world, people do like and love animals. The Maasai, for instance, have kept animals for decades. They love their animals and value them more than fellow human beings and sometimes even themsleves. They travel long distances in search of pastures and water. During dry season- when the land is dry and pastures are a problem, they travel far afield and sometimes fight with farmers because they invade their fields. Despite all this, they do things which are considered not humane to animals. They punch their animals at the neck using crude weapons such as the arrow to drain blood. They normally do it out of sheer ignorance. Many tribes across the globe do the same.
   The welfare of an animal includes its physical and mental state and I consider that good animal welfare implies both fitness and a sense of well-being. Any animal kept by man, must at least, be protected from unnecessary suffering.
   
   
   Surely these children do not know that to beat an animal it is inhumane. Poignantly, we have WSPA regional office and TSPCA in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
   I also believe that an animal's welfare, whether on farm, in transit, at market or at a place of slaughter should be considered in terms of 'five freedoms'. According to animal welfare groups such as the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), these freedoms define ideal states rather than standards for acceptable welfare. They form a logical and comprehensive framework for analysis of welfare within any system together with the steps and compromises necessary to safeguard and improve welfare within the proper constraints of an effective livestock industry.
   
   Long Distance Transportation of animals for slaughter is common in Africa and elsewhere in the world. Animal welfare groups have mounted a worldwide campaign to stop this practice.
   1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - Access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
   2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
   3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
   4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind.
   5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.
   I do believe WSPA Regional Office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is not doing enough to sensitise and educate people about animal welfare issues. Instead of spreading its wings to various programmes, it could, for instance, concentrate on education campaigns through animal welfare groups across the continent to bring about hope to hundreds and thousands of animals suffering becuase the people of the land are not aware of such animal welfare issues. There are more horifying pictures depicting animal cruelty in this part of the world. Let us join hands with animal welfare groups to end animal cruelty.

   ---

   ---

Reactions

1. Posted on Monday 18 August 2008 17:39

   ---

   Tjitske

   

   Tjitske Post
   2 berichten
   Lid sinds August 2008
   Nairobi

   ---

   Well said! As far as I am concerned mistreating an animal should be dealt with in the same way as if one were mistreating a fellow human... The biggest threat to all animals, as we all know, is the human species. It's shameful! Keep up the good work in support of all animals.

   ---

   ---

2. Posted on Wednesday 20 August 2008 08:27

   ---

   Jack Meena

   

   Jack Meena
   30 berichten
   Lid sinds February 2008
   Dar es Salam

   ---

   Thanks Tjitske,
   I entirely agree with you but we need to know that ending animal cruelty in the world needs collective efforts and governments across the globe need to enforce laws to that effect. Let's all join WSPA and other animal welfare movement groups by signing the petition for the Universal Declaration for Animal Welfare at the UN.
   
   Jack.

   ---

   ---