15 March 2018
Animal Cruelty
Over the past few decades, animal cruelty has risen uncontrollably and is now dangerously increasing over recent years. This brutal action is not just displaying itself out in the public, but is also now being published online. This kind of behaviour is not acceptable for our human race and do animals really deserve this kind of cruelty?
According to the RSPCA, reports of animal cruelty filmed and shared on Snapchat have soared 340 per cent in the past two years. Is this because animal cruelty is on the increase or that social media usage is more popular than ever?
We interviewed Zahir White from a local animal shelter (Cats protection program,) to find out how many more cases of animal cruelty are being reported. Here’s what we found out:
1. First of all, what are your feelings towards animal cruelty and why?
I find cruelty to cats and other animals to be unacceptable. Animals have feelings and feel pain and humans should treat them with kindness and respect.
Currently, cats’ protection is trying to persuade the Government to take action on air guns. Three cats in the UK are shot with an air gun each week and we believe that if all air guns were licensed then it would prevent these weapons falling into the wrong hands. For further information:
https://cats.e-activist.com/page/17714/action/1
2. During your job have you ever experienced a time when you have been really emotional about what you have seen or heard?
An unwanted cat was once brought into our center after it had been thrown into a river by teenagers. I cannot imagine why people would act like this towards cats. I would advise anyone who has witnessed an act of cruelty towards an animal to report it to the RSPCA as soon as they can. It’s vital we do all that we can to prevent the mistreatment of all animals.
3. Adding on to this, do you feel there is a reason for animal cruelty and why?
We haven’t done any research into it, but from what I’ve seen in the media, it appears some people may see animals as an easy target. Others may do it for fun or to get their name on the news.
4. Relating to this, what is the strangest thing you have ever encountered in your life of being a cat specialist?
The strangest thing was when someone asked us to take their cat because it was elderly and it no longer wanted to go outside in the cold! It’s a shame as older cats have so much to offer to people. Owing to the most settled natures, older cats seem to stay closer to home or are less likely to be involved in road traffic accidents. They are more likely to curl up on a warm lap, making great companions and thanks to the advantages of veterinary care, many live to their late teens or early 20s in very good health.
5. What is your happiest experience being a cat specialist?
The best part of the job is seeing cats get a loving new home, especially if they have had a tough start to life or have been sitting in one of our cats’ pens being overlooked for a while.
6. Do you feel that all your colleagues feel the same way about animal cruelty and why?
Yes we all care about the welfare about the welfare of animals and we are all passionate about cats.
7. Saying this, is there ever a time where you are that emotional or passionate about the specific animal that you have felt the need to take it home?
Yes, I sometimes take newborn kittens who have lost their mums back to my home overnight, because they require feeding every few hours. I always ‘socialise’ kittens to help them get used to their future homes. For instance by gently holding and stroking them and playing a CD with ‘household sounds’ like a TV or washing machine.
So throughout this interview, cat’s protection talk about various topics to do with animal cruelty and why we should stop harming animals. People could do this because they feel weak and feel if they do this it will make them stronger. But we all know this isn’t the answer. Reported on the 30th September 2017 the Government has said: “People in England who commit the most serious crimes of animal cruelty could face up to five years in prison.”This new move will increase on the current six-month maximum sentence and will follow a number of cases where English courts wanted to hand down tougher sentences. Do you think this will decrease the cases of animal cruelty?
If you have ever witnessed or heard about an act of animal cruelty please inform one of the numerous animal shelters: RSPCA, Cats Protection any many more!
Thanks for reading: Ruby, Alice, Megan.