Animal Holocaust: Stop it now.

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Sat Oct 21, 2006 18:49

Cruelty to animals is an outrage; the burning of a live animal is a horrible outrage.
I recall the words of the pacifist Hilary Boyle that she wrote to me many years ago: "I hope you are doing something about cruelty to animals. Because they are dumb and totally in our power, they can't defend themselves. We must speak up for them"

Thanks to the poster of the original article, I fully support your call for a stop to this heinous crime.

by Ciara R Sat Oct 21, 2006 22:31

I saw that on the news yesterday and would encourage anybody aware of any animal cruelty to report it to the Gardai. Most of the time they are quite helpful when it is related to dogs or horses, however cats are a different story as they are not considered property.

I don't know whether the kids who did that to the cat need punishment or treatment - the mind boggles as to what goes on in their heads. They are clearly brutalized and there can be little doubt that their cruelty will not be limited to animals as they get older.

Well done to the poster of this article - this issue needs highlighting.

Animal cruelty comes in many forms and anybody wishing to make a difference where animals are concerned should join ARAN.

www.aran.ie

by Anonymous Sat Oct 21, 2006 23:36

"They are clearly brutalized and there can be little doubt that their cruelty will not be limited to animals as they get older."

I don't agree with the above statement. About twenty years ago a member of my family, who was a child at the time, kicked a kitten to death and, unfortunately, the kitten died an excruciatingly painful death, I came upon the scene too late to help the kitten and I never forget the shrieks of that kitten. I proceeded to hit and yell at my sister and my parents came out and beat the shite out of me and locked me in my room and treated my little sister to an ice cream. My sister at the time appeared to show absolutely no remorse and was unconcerned.

My sister later grew up to be a very responsible adult who now cares deeply about animals, particularly, cats - strangely enough. I asked her recently, after seeing that News article, why she kicked that kitten to deatha ll those years ago, she said, she felt powerless at the time and vented her anger on this unfortunate creature and it gave her a power rush at the time. She admitted my reaction (I said I would never forgive such an act) and the fact that I ignored her for months afterwards hurt her the most, and made her realise the enormity of what she had done.

Advice to Parents:

Parents should never ever forgive a child who treats an animal in this way, they should say that it is an unforgiveable act to torture a defenceless animal, and not allow them any contact with animals in the future. Nobody should feel sorry for any child and bring them off for an ice cream and some sympathy after commiting such an act, they are not all brutalised children! These children don't need nor deserve sympathy or pity!

Watch your children and your animals this Halloween!!!

by Ciara R Sun Oct 22, 2006 02:10

well anonymous, it is good to hear that your sister now can be trusted around animals and cats. However, the fact that your parents clearly cared so little for the animal, that the person who tried to save it, ie you, was punished, could give some clue to ur sisters behavior. You say that your reaction was what made her realise such behavior is wrong.

Perhaps there are many children who do not have such people in their lives to teach them such lessons and take out frustrations on those physically weaker than themselves, in many cases animals. However, it seems hard to believe that such behavior is normal or commonplace, it has to be the result of either witnessing similar violence or lack of parental control or some other factor which is not inherent.

by Catlady Sun Oct 22, 2006 16:35

"it seems hard to believe that such behavior is normal or commonplace"

Sorry Ciara, with all due respect, I have no difficulty believing that such behaviour is commonplace, although to define what "normal" actually means is a trickier issue.

Unfortunately, animals are torutred by kids and adults each day of the year (factory farms, fur-trade, labs etc etc etc) and although the incidents of burning etc. at this time of year are horrific and shocking, I feel they are simply the natural result of societies attitude in general to animals. Many children (perhaps even most children???) engage in some form of torture, from pulling wings off flies to blowing up frogs, and although I have not studied psychology in any great depth, I do know that empathy is something which develops as a child grows (or is supposed to at any rate, although many teens and adults are sorely lacking in that department). Kids do, of course, need to be taught to respect life and to recognise suffering and pay for the consequences of their acts - and as you say, thankfully anonymous was there to teach his/her sister that lesson.

Having said all the rational bit, I must say that if I came across a gang of brats doing something like this I wouldn't waste time waiting for the police to arrive, wondering what their parents had taught them or making plans for their rehabilitation before springing into action...

by Ciara R Mon Oct 23, 2006 03:40

You are probably right Catlady, possibly I am trying to look on the bright side of human nature. I still do believe that animal torture such as the socially acceptable face, ie meat trade, coursing, vivsection as well as the unacceptable face of it, such as the poor cat in Blanchardstown is the manifestation of learnt behaviour, kids are not naturally that evil (well most anyway). Imagine what adults those children will turn into...

by Martin Mon Oct 23, 2006 21:17

Hi All,

Just a bit of constructive criticism for the author of this piece. In some circles animal rights activists are thought of as a bunch of whacko extremists. The use of the word holocaust in this article could be seen to be encouraging that view.

I'm possibly nit picking here, but that's my tuppence worth. Anyhoo, good luck with your efforts.

by Ciara Mon Oct 23, 2006 21:58

I think "holocaust" is used here to refer to all animals killed in the course of factory farming, vivsection, fur farming and the rest.

In terms of numbers it is indeed comparable as it is in terms of lack of compassion.

by Stephan Wymore - Animal Rights Action Network (ARAN) Wed Oct 25, 2006 00:33 Stephan at aran dot ie ARAN, Po Box 722, Kildare, Ireland

There can be no doubting it animal abuse is seriously on the rise in this country and there is nothing be done at government level about this terrible suffering, but instead the chilling systematic abuse of animals continues. There is certainly an animal holocaust happening everyday here in Ireland and this holocaust too needs to stop.

You can help. For anyone who gives a damn then please make it you business to come along on ARAN's rally against the cruelty on December 10th 2006 in Dublin that is aiming to highlight the terrible suffering animals face everyday here in Ireland and a call for action.

To learn more please visit www.ARAN.ie