Disclaimer: The Eqbal Ahmad Centre for Public Education (EACPE) encourages critical and independent thinking and believes in a free expression of one’s opinion. However, the views expressed in contributed articles are solely those of their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the EACPE.
Trigger warning
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
The past few weeks have been extremely traumatic for animal lovers. Various cases of animal abuse, culling and poisoning of dogs surfaced on social media resulting in a strong reaction by citizens and people calling out for authorities and animal activists to look into the matters.
On every Eid-e-Qurban, there is a debate regarding animal sacrifice between animal lovers and those who follow the Islamic injunctions. While in Islam it is Sunnah to sacrifice animals on Eid, it also teaches us how sacrificial animal should be treated till the last moment. This year was no different, however on the first day of Eid a video of a crane being used to lift a cow from the roof of a building to the road but breaking from its harness and falling, as it lay stunned and probably badly injured, someone shouted ‘churi lao!’ (bring a knife) and slaughtered it, went viral.
It’s been more than three days since I saw it, but have not been able to get over it.
Just imagine how frightened the cow would be when its eyes were not covered, and the harness was tightened around it.
Just imagine how frightened the cow would be when its eyes were not covered, and the harness was tightened around it.
He would be confused, heart beating faster as the noise got loud; suddenly it feels a jerk, and is slowly pulled up. He lost ground beneath his hoofs. Couldn’t see anything, touch anything but only feel something round his belly. In midair he feels dizzy and tries to hold on to something, but his weight and gravity over powers the belts and he nose dives and falls free to land on its back on the metaled road. Laying stiff on the ground in shock and even before he starts breathing again or pain kicks in, he hears people shout ‘churi lao’ that’s when he starts withering on the ground. Gasping for air and in pain, begging everyone to help but all the onlookers what was to save the money they had spent, otherwise it would have been a murdar (dead animal’s meat) so inconsumable.
And finally the deed was done. Allah Hu Akbar.
How could they do this?
Don’t tell me what Islam says, don’t tell me what Sunnat-e-Ibrahimi says, don’t tell me how this will help people who have not had meat for a year, I know all that – just tell me how could one do this to an animal? Don’t give me an excuse that there was no space to keep him so he was kept on roof top and then crane had to be used. Just tell me how could you be so callous towards an already helpless animal?
Those who don’t show mercy towards helpless animals cannot be merciful with one another.
This may be a one off incident where the cow slipped, but this activity has been going on for years. Many videos can be found online where people specifically gather to watch the event for amusement. Calves are usually taken to the roof top by stairs to be fed and prepared for Qurbani, however, after two years when time for their sacrifice comes they are brought down by a crane. It is beyond understanding how one can put an animal through such trauma just before they are to be slaughtered? Also, apart from animal abuse what about the safety of people in the area? What if any human was hurt or killed due to the action, who would have been responsible? How is it possible that in all these years no one has looked into these matters? It’s so unfortunate that safety and well-being of human beings and animals lives have been ignored for so long.
During 2018 General Election campaign, a dog in Bannu, Khyber PakhtunKhwa, was shot dead after someone tied PTI flag on him. Likewise, a donkey in Karachi was beaten because PTI founder had called PML-N supporters donkies. The poor donkey died later. Once, a fighting dog in Islamabad was found with ‘pagal’ (mad) written on him but luckily, he was rescued. Hating, disliking or even hitting puppies and dogs is very common amongst children and adults. Sadly, religious justifications are given to justify such heinous acts even though Islam forbids from treating animals cruelly. Education and social awareness is needed to change this mindset.
There are a number of animal rights activists who are running their own shelters and rescue teams in Peshawar, Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. They are doing what the government is supposed to do. Even though the government has made amendments in the Prevention to Cruelty to Animal Act, 1890 by increasing fines and punishments, we need to understand that such penalties won’t help. What’s needed is to educate them on how to treat these animals. Secondly, making laws alone doesn’t work unless it is implementation as well.
The state of zoos in Pakistan is also pathetic. While it’s debatable worldwide whether establishing a zoo is ethical, unfortunately there are many such incidents of criminal negligence to prove how unprofessionally they’re being run and how cruelty towards animals is so common. For instance, Suzi, the elephant, died in the Lahore Zoo due to loneliness. Just a few days ago, two lions of Islamabad Zoo died in transfer tragedy when the caretakers ignited fire in their enclosure. Likewise, a few months ago, news surfaced regarding ill treatment of Kavaan, an elephant, at Islamabad Zoo. The renowned American singer Cher campaigned for Kavaan, and finally, the court ordered to transfer her to a suitable sanctuary from the zoo.
Animals are voiceless and it is our responsibility to look after them, treat them with care and look after their needs.
Every time an incident of animal abuse surfaces people raise their voice, run campaigns, hashtags go viral on Social Media and the authorities start taking action but unfortunately we are a reactionary nation, so no one talks about it after a few days. There are laws for everything but implementation is lacking. While departments exist to counter such activities, they have to be forced to do their work. In these 73 years of Pakistan’s existence so much of importance remains ignored.
Majority of people generally say, “Here (in Pakistan) people don’t get basic rights and justice, and you are demanding justice for animals,” but this is no justification to ignore animal abuse. Animals are voiceless and it is our responsibility to look after them, treat them with care and look after their needs. Those who don’t show mercy towards helpless animals cannot be merciful with one another. With the rise in extremism in Pakistan, animal abuse has also been a matter of pressing concern and must be addressed by the government and society alike.
About the writer
R. Umaima Ahmed is a journalist, digital rights and security activist with an interest in strategic studies. Last but not the least, an animal person.
