friends of animals

sadhuji

The SPCA plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. The Animal Welfare Board of India was set up in accordance with Section 4 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960 (No.59 of 1960). The Board consists of 28 Members. http://www.awbi.org/

To a layman, these groups are supposed to ensure that animals get their proper share of attention. The condition of animals seen in circuses are pathetic, to tame the ferocious ones, the keepers would keep them half starved. Even in houses, parrots and budgerigars would be caged and dogs and cats ill treated. The Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has the authority of taking action against the erring individuals or groups. Hunting once upon a time used to be a favorite pastime of the Rajas, Maharajas, Zaminders and others of noble descent. They would spend weekends in the company of friends in the deep jungles and bring back prized catches. Such extravaganza today is completely out of the question. In some movies, animals are used – here again, approvals are required to be obtained in advance. The gist of the matter is that the ill treatment of the dumb creatures cannot be tolerated.

However, a few recent ad clips showcase birds and animals. Pigeons fly away in fear when the latest brand of Hero Honda ‘Pleasure’ makes its presence. The poor doggy in the ad of Hutch keeps panting, trudging up steep steps, and is forced to walk the plank to keep pace with its master and, in the bargain, prove a point or two for the makers. The Tiger is tamed by kids in the Britannia biscuit ads, even the Moms make fun of the animal that is gradually getting phased out. A gaudy colored Kingfisher watches in amusement at the goings on while a flock of geese scatters to allow Rani Mukherji forge ahead with her extra large special quota of Nestle ‘Maha Munch’. A time may come when Tom and Jerry cartoons and those involving Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse will be censored because of the cruelty shown to the animals. The monkeys in the Suman Shekhar ‘Pole Khol’ show might also have to make way for humans. Proposals might also be put forth to rename the ‘Black Cat Commandoes’ along with the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters and the Jaguar fighter planes.

Animals are to be treated withy respect. Showing animals in bad light constitutes unfair and unhealthy business practices and has to be discouraged.

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mooning over a moon journey

sirensongs

The recent Kalachakra in Andhra Pradesh was entirely a vegetarian event at the request of the Dalai Lama. He repeatedly, in his teachings, referred to animal welfare and asked Tibetans to quit wearing tiger skins and eating meat.

The Jain Mahamastabhishekham (spelling?) in Shravanabelagola also has an animal welfare theme.

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"Why do people go to India to find themselves? India is where you go to lose yourself."
Feringhee: The India Diaries

PRIYA

Well said Sadhuji!!! Mans exploitation of animals will always be a bone of contention and only enlightenment will bring about change.

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Happiness is for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched and those who have tried. For only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. (Anon.)

Sama

and who was it that said a society is judged by its treatment of animals....?

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My India, 2005-2008
sama: Pali/Sanskrit: that state of consciousness which reflects neither attachment nor aversion

scub_a_holic

Sadhuji, I totally agree with your sentiment.

But, what is going to happen to the countless animals wandering the streets in dire circumstances?

Nick-H

Gandhi?

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Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

sirensongs

They can be fed and taken care of like they have for centuries? Weren't there always cows, bullocks, water buffalos, dogs, cats and chickens on the streets here?

In McLeod Ganj, there is a neighborhood organization dedicated to vaccinating and sterilizing the street dogs, which are the healthiest I have seen in India. The dogs are a much loved part of the community.

It's much easier to help animals than people, which is why so many well intentioned foreigners give up on people and "go to the dogs."

scub_a_holic

I think a trip around Bangalore today may change your mind.

Has this not been happening for centuries too? As once was hunting ??

sirensongs

Quote:

Originally Posted by scub_a_holic I think a trip around Bangalore today may change your mind.

I've been around Bangalore many a time, and spent a couple months there. Don't see your point. The real menace is increased vehicle traffic, getting in the way of all the cows (and pedestrians and bicycles).



Yes, that's his (the Dalai Lama's) point; centuries ago when there were plenty of tigers, and Tibetans lived in Tibet there were both enough tigers to go around and a need to wear warm skins. Now neither is (are?) the case, so they must stop hunting tigers and/or wearing the skins. Also, there are now non-skin cloth substitutes.

Besides the fact that, even at that time, this was a violation of the Buddhist nonviolent principles.

scub_a_holic

My point is Bangalore is not a place for rearing cows. Yes some seem to be looked after and decorated etc. but not all. I have seen cows in conditions here that at home someone would be prosecuted for and forced not to keep animals again. I have seen dogs with open wounds and dogs with sores that look incredibably painful. I have seen people throwing stones at dogs that were not harming anyone. I have seen people throwing stones at monkey's.

It may be traditional, but Bangalore is no longer traditional. I have only been here 3 months, the changes that have happened in those 3 months is astounding. There is easily 30+ office/apartment blocks being constructed within 1 kilometre from where i sit now..........in one of the NEW office buildings.

The only thing that will change with the traffic is that it will get worse.

sirensongs

This is all begging the question.

All these things will get worse...UNLESS someone does something about them.

Fewer vehicles and less pollution (air, noise and so on) are better for everyone, pedestrians, residents and cows.

Better treatment of animals, just like more humane treatment of people, can be legislated and enforced. Or maybe we should just let everything go to hell so that even people can't live there anymore?

Mumbai is hardly a wildlife park but there is an active Humane Society there helping to take care of the street dogs, spay and neuter and vaccinate them, and so forth. Some Hindu nationalist associations ought to be on the case of cow maltreatment; it is illegal to slaughter them at all in lots of India.

sadhuji

i live very near the NH3 (national highway no. 3) that connects mumbai with delhi. practically every day, i see dogs that come under the wheels of the speeding vehicles. a pity.

PRIYA

I also saw this kind of treatment in Bangalore and elsewhere in India and was absolutely horrified. I was either ridiculed when I said something or just ignored

And the hurtful thing is that no-one stops (okay it is a highway) - and the animal has to make its own way, suffering from the injuries inflicted, either to die a slow and agonising death or be maimed for the rest of its pitiful life.

OT - I was taught to NEVER leave an animal that I have accidently injured whilst driving. Stop, check its condition, and if it's too bady injured, to do the kindest thing. I have never forgotten those wise words......and as difficult as I have found it, I have done it out of necessity.

Cameleer

Most of the animals look very good in the places that I went to in India.
I did talk to some DVM's there and was happy to hear what they had to say about the animals too.
There were some bad things like how these elephants were kept at night.
http://camelphotos.com/india/elephant6.jpg
http://camelphotos.com/india/elephant7.jpg

Nick-H

Most of the dogs and cows here look pretty healthy, although the same can not be said for the cats.

However I know there are problems, I had a friend who worked with street dogs here and found plenty to take care of.