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The heading is the title of a 1969 film starring Jane Fonda and Gig Young. The plot occurs at a depression era dance marathon in which the mentally and physically exhausted heroine pleads with her sympathetic partner to be put out of her misery. This macabre film shows several flashbacks of a childhood experience when a horse with a broken leg was euthanized or “put down” by the owner in an act of mercy. Contemplating the mercy slaying of the horse and comparing it to the abject misery of his partner, the young dancing partner finally succumbs to her pleadings and slays her, sacrificing his own future in the process. The allusion to the merciful treatment of horses and humans (?) is but an introduction to animal treatment in its various forms. This article is not about animal rights activism per se but an animal lover’s quest for the humane treatment of our planet's creatures. This article is also not a polemic against hunting or the taking of game but is intended as a reminder of the plight of several species by the hands of man. The clash between animals and humans is as old as creation itself and an unequal playing field it is. No species has a chance against the human one. A battle or two can be won, of course, but the final result is never in doubt. In many cases these battles are not necessarily a question of right and wrong but the "whys" and "hows" nonetheless tug at the "better angels of our nature." There are countless unanswered dilemmas that need addressing and the following few are just a small sampling. What is a humane and effective culling procedure to limit overpopulation? What is the best way to run slaughterhouses to keep suffering at a minimum? What can be done with animal actors such as oranges and chimps, once their acting days are over? Should we seek the universal end to bear baiting, dog fighting, and other blood sports involving animals? I’m sure the reader can think of many more subjects to discuss within this topic but the solutions are not always possible or practical. For example, when humans are hungry, it’s hard to hard to argue with the culling strategy when a multitude of stray animals such as dogs and cats are competing for the same scarce resources. It’s the callus methods and ignorance that concerns me. In some third world countries, armed animal control specialists patrol the streets and shoot dogs randomly amid the crowds. Many of these animals are not killed outright and are simply left to die. These countries have often been ravaged by war and the citizens, after witnessing and often enduring cruel treatment themselves, become inured to pity. These same folks find it difficult to be concerned with animal treatment. Thus we find even more extreme methods of dealing with the problems of strays, including drowning, hanging and even electrocution. The crux is this: not only are these methods barbaric; as a means of population control they have proved to be failures since dog populations continue to increase around the world. When speaking of animal abuse that is engineered solely for human profit, the field is vast and compelling and only a few examples will be mentioned here. · Inhumane killing of wild animals for meat and other products. Many wild animals are brutally killed and some face extinction all over the world so that their body parts can be used for medicine, decoration, jewelry and clothing. Most of these animals are harvested simply to assuage the vanity of a particular buying public. · Capture and suffering of animals taken from the wild in the live trade industry. Besides the legal issues involved, animals suffer horribly when captured for live trade, as they are often transported long distances in cramped conditions. Many die en route or face a lifetime of captivity. · Wild animals in captivity Wild animals in the entertainment industry are often kept in substandard conditions. They spend their whole lives in tiny enclosures, suffer abuse from their owners, and are forced to act unnaturally. Even once beloved animal actors are often discarded to horrible conditions after their careers are over. Oh yes, most have heard the argument for such practices. Many swear by the efficacy of the rhinoceros horn for it’s aphrodisiac effects. And where would bird lovers obtain their parrots, if not from hunters that must catch and transport their quarry. And does not the ability to view wild animals in zoos really cause empathy among we humans that translates to conservation efforts? Sigh… Even if the rhino’s horn could help one’s sex life and provide other medical benefits, is it worth the extinction of the source? Parrots are wonderful pets to some but shouldn’t the parrot lover feel some responsibility for the plight of the thousands of parrots that suffer and die in transport. Most of us love zoos but our sympathies are often stirred with the plight of these animals, held captive for our sole amusement. The problem seems insurmountable but we can help, you know. We can donate to animal causes with our hard-earned cash. A mere 50 cents a day will "cover a multitude of sins." These donations will help lobbying efforts in our own country as well as internationally. Much progress has been made and will continue but there is much left to be done. You can find out more by visiting http://mymallandmore.com/savinganimals.html Be blessed, John
Article Source: http://www.new.citynewslive.com
Mr. Bland is 63 years of age, the husband of one wife for 39 years and the father of 4 adult and productive children.
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