As humans we are habituated to raising our voices against the injustice that the society faces us with. But what happens to those who can’t? What happens to those who are killed unjustly, butchered for their meat and parts of the body to sell for big amounts of money. What about animals? What about animal rights?
We have only agitated when an animal was mistreated in isolation, however, for years these poor wildlife have been subjected to cruelty in the hands of poachers, sometimes even in unfortunate events at the hands of villagers.
What does Animal rights mean?
According to PETA, Animal rights refer animals deserving certain kinds of consideration—consideration of what is in their best interests, regardless of whether they are “cute,” useful to humans, or an endangered species and regardless of whether any human cares about them at all. It means recognizing that animals are not ours to use—for food, clothing, entertainment, or experimentation.
Views towards Animal Rights
There have been many contrary views about the topic. There is a school of people who believe that speciesism is plain prejudice and was as irrational as any other form of it of prejudial behaviour and that no animal could be treated as property, or be used as food, entertainment and/or clothing.
While a huge school of people maintain that thought, a coin always has two sides. The contrary school of thought believes that animals can not enter any sort of social conduct and therefore can not be upholders or granters of any rights. While there is a subsect that believes in the utilitarian aspect, that animals could be treated as property as long as there was no “unnecessary” suffering. So, who gets to decide if the suffering endowed by them was in fact unnecessary? Isn’t this an indirect way of saying animals will always be inferior to humans?
While the debate has been around for centuries and will be around for centuries, as of November 2019, 29 countries have placed ban on animal testing and experimentation.
Animal Issues we tend to overlook
Human Overpopulation
This is by far the most common issue and something we are taught right from the very start of our educational journeys. Humans have a tendency of destroying everything they touch and imagine what a world of more than 1.8 billion people. We stand up for issues like Amazon Rainforest fire and Floods and yet we abuse, destroy the environment more than ever.
2. Property Status of Animals
For what’s worth this is the most common yet most controversial issue to exist. People take in pets when they need companions and soon welcome them as a part of their family. Grieve over their deaths, run after them when they escape home, spend several sleepless nights when they fall sick. However, the whole concept of “pets” and “owners” points to property ownership. There are various schools of thoughts involved here to. “Guardians” instead of “Owners” and “Companions” instead of “Pets” shows family and not ownership.
3. Animals in Entertainment
Do you remember visiting Circuses that were full of circus animals who had a ring leader to train and tame them? Probably most of us don’t, because they were banned before our time on grounds of animal cruelty. However, animals are not completely out of the show business. There are multiple horse racing tracks and Gray hound racing tracks, underground chicken fight clubs and let’s not forget the aquatic shows showcased by big aquariums. Animals are kept in captivity against their wills and spend their lives without knowing anything about the real world and what lies behind those walls of captivation.
4. Veganism
You want to be proud that you are saving animals because you are a vegan? Can you swear on your life that, that is the reason you are vegan and not because the diet is higher in nutrients and thus healthier? Veganism has emerged in the recent trends as a purer version of vegetarianism. But a lot of people who are vegan sometimes forget that even buying leather and fur encourages the massacre these poor animals go through.
5. Factory Farming and Fisheries
While factory growth may help provide for food for the population without intervening with the natural food chain, the animals in factories and fish in fisheries also feel pain, they are no different from any creature out there. Hence, these practises are as objectionable as buying leather and wearing fur.
Animal rights you are probably unaware of:
India actually has some of the strictest laws in the world. Our law makers were compassionate animal lovers and have made extensive measures to protect our wildlife
According to Article 51A (g) It is the fundamental duty of every citizen of India to have compassion for all living creatures.
Under IPC Sections 428 and 429 killing or maiming any animal, including stray animals, is a punishable offense.
According to PCA ACT, 1960, Section 11(1)(i) and Section 11(1)(j) Abandoning any animal for any reason can land you in prison for up to three months.
Rule 3, of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (Slaughterhouse) Rules, 2001 and Chapter 4, Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 states that no animal (including chickens) can be slaughtered in any place other than a slaughterhouse. Sick or pregnant animals shall not be slaughtered.
Section 11 (1)(h) of PCA Act, 1960 states Neglecting an animal by denying her sufficient food, water, shelter and exercise or by keeping him chained/confined for long hours is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to 3 months or both.
Under the Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972 Monkeys are protected and cannot be displayed or owned.
According to Section 22(ii), PCA Act, 1960, Bears, monkeys, tigers, panthers, lions and bulls are prohibited from being trained and used for entertainment purposes, either in circuses or streets.
Section 38J, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 states that teasing, feeding or disturbing the animals in a zoo and littering the zoo premises is an offence punishable by a fine of Rs. 25000 or imprisonment of up to three years or both.
Section 9, Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 states disturbing or destroying eggs or nests of birds and reptiles or chopping a tree having nests of such birds and reptiles or even attempting to do so constitutes to hunting and attracts a punishment of a fine of up to Rs. 25000, or imprisonment of up to seven years or both.
According to Section 98 of the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, animals should be healthy and in good condition while transporting them. Any animal that’s diseased, fatigued or unfit for transport should not be transported. Furthermore, pregnant and very young animals should be transported separately.
If you truely believe that animals should no longer be treated like property or be hunted down for food, jewellery or clothing, please raise your voices against this. Please donate your time and/or efforts to make the world a better place for the generations to come. Please share, comment and like the post.
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