Who are the animals?

How we treat the weakest members in our society says a lot about us. A recent incident in Rampura, which saw a group of people bury two dogs and 14 puppies alive, is a distasteful reminder of some of the sicknesses which pervades our society. While feral animals do pose certain safety and health risks for the populace, under no condition is this kind of behaviour acceptable. Dogs are some of the kindest and most loyal creatures to walk the earth. It is baffling to think, then, that there are people amongst us who could treat these creatures with such cruelty. When it comes to catering to the rights of animals, our nation still has a long way to go. This year’s culling of dogs in Chittagong is a case in point. And animal cruelty is almost the norm: The streets of Dhaka are littered with stories of the barbaric ways some of these animals are treated. We, as a people, must understand that cruelty of this sort is never justified, not against us, and not against the helpless animals which roam our streets. The only way forward is to penalise those involved in such heinous acts. It is sad to hear that, in this case, no action has yet been taken by authorities. In such cases, law enforcement must act -- to that end, the Animal Welfare Act, passed earlier this year, can prove instrumental. People should understand that we are not a nation that condones such behaviour. It must be understood that, though the animals which roam our streets and fly through our air are not recognised citizens of this country, they are as much a part of our nation’s identity as anything else.