Remember that feeling of panic as a child, separated
from your parent in a crowded market? That sudden fear, that feeling of utter
vulnerability, is something many of us can still recall. A few minutes later,
the relief as your parent rushed back, hugging you tightly, only to be followed
by a stern warning.
Dogs experience
this same emotional rollercoaster. One day, they are cherished members of a
family, the centre of attention, featured in countless social media posts. The
next, they are abandoned at a shelter or, even worse, callously left on the
side of a highway. The reasons given for these abandonments are varied:
"The landlord doesn't allow pets," "We're moving,"
"We're too busy," "Allergies," "Destructive behaviour,"
"New baby," "Can't afford vet bills." While some reasons
may be genuine, the reality is that a living creature, dependent on its human
family, is left feeling lost and afraid.
How can we
justify such actions? We claim this world as our own, but then we must also
accept the consequences when wild animals, displaced by our encroachment on
their habitats, venture into our cities. Dogs, however, are already here,
living amongst us.
Many people feel a deep compassion for these animals, and a desire to help, yet they may be unable to take on the full responsibility of
pet ownership. This often leads to well-intentioned but misplaced acts of
kindness, such as feeding street dogs without considering the potential
consequences for the animals themselves, and for the community. While these
individuals may mean well, simply providing food without also providing for
vaccinations, neutering/spaying, and necessary medical care can actually contribute
to the problem. Uncontrolled populations of street dogs can lead to increased
risks of disease, territorial disputes, and even traffic accidents. One
person's act of love, without responsible follow-through, can inadvertently
cause hardship for another, and ultimately harm the very animals they intend to
help.
The impact of this is seen firsthand. Responsible
efforts to help these dogs include not only feeding them, but also providing
veterinary care, managing their population through spay/neuter programs, and
working to educate the public about responsible pet ownership. Ensuring the
dogs are healthy, safe, and integrated into the community responsibly is
crucial.
Conversely, some
harbour a deep-seated fear and dislike of stray dogs. Perhaps they had a
negative experience, or perhaps it's a fear instilled in them during childhood.
In many cultures, especially in families who didn't have pets, children are
taught to fear dogs, a fear that often persists into adulthood. Changing these
ingrained attitudes is a difficult but necessary step towards creating a more
compassionate world for these animals. Not just a compassionate world, but also
a world where creatures can coexist, because whether humans like it or not..." the earth is not just ours, it belongs to all living things."
