Questioning Humanity: The Tragic Reality of Stray Animals

                                                                                      " If I'm killed

                                                                               for simply living

                                                                                           let death be kinder

                                                                                  than man " 

                                                                                         - Althea Davis

One of my earliest childhood memories, heart wrenching but undoubtedly the most special one; includes a friendship that I had. My furry friend, was a pregnant stray dog, who one night slept next to our garage and upon getting some food, regularly kept coming back to get some food and shelter there. Every night I used to wait for her soft bark, which would let me know that she had arrived and then I would rush with a bowl in my hand, filled with meat and rice to feed her. But suddenly one night she didn't return and the next night too. Two days later, my father found her on some alleyway in a shape that only a devil could be imagined doing so. She was beaten to death by some malevolent creatures roaming around as humans. 

That incident is still one of the most devastating, pain inducing experiences that I have gone through. It has been engraved in my heart, and it will always stay. I will always remember her.13 years have passed since then. Even After all these years, with great disparity I often ask myself "the breach in humanity that I had to notice at such age, has it changed even a little bit? "

As the most disappointing answer echoes in my head, "No". Till this day the cruelest, unfair and brutal treatment towards helpless, harmless and feeble strays who just roam around to search for something as universal as food or shelter has not been ceased. They are perceived as unwanted and insignificant beings. Their sufferings shatter my heart and I cannot remain silent on this like majority of us do. This is why I chose to write on this topic. As animals, like humans, also experience sufferings and distress. But most of the time, their voices are unheard and overlooked. 

In a country, which is plagued by human sufferings and hardships, the extreme agony experienced by the innocent and vulnerable stray animals, is like an afterthought. While some of us feel and stand up for them, most of us don't and often mistreat the animals in the cruelest way possible. It exposes the reality of our collective moral failure.  

Stray dog got injured by a car
Source : Facebook

Newborn kitten abandoned on streets
Source : Facebook

They go through a lot during the day and night, as they struggle for survival. They've to find their own food, water and shelter on their own while living as petty wanderers in a world dominated by the superior humans. The so called "humans" who show absolutely no humanity as they look upon the strays, let alone providing for them. Instead of showing gestures of kindness and any act of sympathy towards them, people abuse and torment them without any reason. It is often forgotten that they also have life and ability to feel pain and hunger. Some of them also suffer from severe illnesses and skin problems as they are exposed to harsh environments. In this stage of their life, they primarily need our assistance, so that we can take them to a vet clinic and help them get treated. However, instead of trying to help, people are more likely to ward off or even kill a stray who is possibly infected by any disease. 

Stray dog wandering with its baby in search of shelter
Source : Facebook

Growing up witnessing the violence inflicted on the stray animals by humans who have no sense of compassion, both online and offline, Some questions never leave my mind, and those are, "Where is empathy? where is compassion? why are we called humans?"

In the recent times, I've came across many posts on the internet highlighting the horrific conditions the strays are left in due to carelessness, recklessness or often intentional harm done to them by humans. The posts are screaming, "We need help, save us, have some mercy on us."

The never ending sufferings of stray animals might not always be visible or emotionally charged, but it is equally severe as of a human's. As they share the planet with us, they also have the right to live. We are nobody to decide their fate. The mistreatment and pain endured   by them is profoundly unjustifiable. It makes me wonder, what must've they done wrong to us human beings or what loss must've they caused us, to receive such harsh treatment from us. It feels like they're being punished for being born as animals, or more specifically, as stray animals.

Whenever I get the opportunity, I try to address the distressful conditions and vulnerability of strays to the people and make them understand how much do they need our help and compassion. I try to make them aware of the fact that the misery of strays, is always neglected and undermined. If we cannot help them, at least we should not harm or abuse them.

The stray animals are innocent, nonthreatening and in many ways dependent on us. So it is an essential requirement to extend our compassion for all living beings, rather than keeping it limited for humans only. We should come forward for them with the same urgency and empathy we afford for humans. There should be a broader discussion about ethical treatment of animals and their rights. Through this acknowledgement, we not only advocate for their welfare but also enrich our understanding of compassion and justice.