SILENT SUFFERERS

"The question is not, 'Can they reason?' nor, 'Can they talk?' but rather, 'Can they suffer?'" - Jeremy Bentham

The spread of viral videos in the digital age has given different types of content prominence on a worldwide scale. Sadly, not all popular videos are made equal. Recently, a huge number of videos showing various forms of animal maltreatment have surfaced online. Some of them are:

1. TikTok Dog Abuse Incident: A user was seen verbally and physically abusing a dog in a recent TikTok viral video. Viewers' outrage over the video led to the identification of the offender, who was then reported to authorities.

2. Elephant Abuse at a Circus: A video that went viral on social media showed elephant trainers in a travelling circus abusing the animals and controlling them harshly. The video sparked calls for tougher laws and animal performance prohibitions as well as concerns about the welfare of circus animals.

3. Cruelty to a Street Cat: A terrible video that showed someone purposefully hurting a helpless street cat leaked online. Local officials launched an investigation to find the offender after the incident drew widespread outrage and a public call for justice to be served.

4. Animal fights being streamed live: Dog fighting and cockfighting videos have become increasingly common on live streaming sites. These horrible incidents reveal not only how animals are mistreated and exploited, but also how much more strictly animal fighting rules need to be enforced.

5. Cat in Blender: A heart-wrenching video surfaced on the Internet in which a cat was put in the blender just for fun.

Animal cruelty is morally repugnant, and intentionally producing or promoting content that fosters animal abuse is wrong. The creators of the videos showed a flagrant disdain for the welfare and dignity of animals, and their deeds helped to foster a society that is insensitive to animal mistreatment. Animal abuse is a serious problem in our culture that causes unspeakable pain for countless helpless creatures. Animals are subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment at the hands of humans, including physical abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Viewers, especially those who are sensitive or sympathetic to animals, may be adversely affected by the transmission of upsetting content like the cat in a blender video. It is possible for seeing animal abuse to cause mental pain and even long-lasting trauma. It can also inspire sentiments of despair, helplessness, and fury. It is crucial to understand the potential harm that such videos may create, especially when they are viewed by a large number of people.

Even if they are made as a jest or practical joke, videos showing animal maltreatment might desensitize viewers to how serious the issue is. People may become desensitized to actual acts of cruelty if violence against animals is trivialized and accepted, which would undermine attempts to stop animal abuse and foster compassion for all living things.

The negative ramifications of creating or viewing such disturbing content do not end there, but animal abuse is a completely awful matter in and of itself. Animal abuse has numerous, intricate root causes. The lack of knowledge and instruction on animal care is a significant contributing factor. Many people still lack knowledge about how to treat animals properly, which causes inadvertent injury. Furthermore, there is a disturbing link between the mistreatment of animals and aggression against people, which emphasizes the significance of comprehending the psychological causes of such behavior.

Abuse of animals has terrible and far-reaching effects. Animals who are abused go through bodily pain, mental anguish, and a reduced quality of life. Their pain goes beyond only physical wounds; it also includes emotional distress and a loss of faith in people. Furthermore, the effects of animal mistreatment on society cannot be understated. Normalizing brutality to animals erodes compassion and empathy, continuing a cycle of cruelty that goes beyond the abuse of animals.

Collective action is essential to stop animal mistreatment. In order to ensure that perpetrators receive just punishments and to prevent such acts of cruelty, it is essential to strengthen animal protection regulations. Instilling a sense of responsibility and empathy for animals is possible by fostering responsible ownership through education and awareness initiatives. Children in particular need to be taught the value of treating animals with love and respect, as this will help develop empathy in them from a young age.

Another crucial component of preventing animal abuse is supporting organizations that rescue and rehab animals. These organizations provide abused animals a chance at a better life by providing them with essential care, rehabilitation, and rehoming services. Additionally, promoting moral consumer choices and supporting cruelty-free goods motivates companies to put animal welfare at the forefront of their operations.

Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF animal rescue) is the first and largest animal rescue charity in Pakistan, which also emphasizes the critical role that empathy and compassion play in fostering a more civilized and gentler society, rescues and rehabilitates neglected and injured homeless, street animals, and labour animals. ACF is launching new projects every year to help animals such as the recently launched ACF Mobile Clinic, regular TNVR campaigns, donkey medical camps, Wildlife protection program, the Empress Market camp, and other initiatives created by foundation.

Animal abuse is a serious problem that has to be addressed right now. We can create a society that values and respects the rights of animals by raising awareness, enforcing laws, advancing education, and aiding organizations committed to animal care. Let's unite as change agents and work towards a time where all living things are treated with the respect, empathy, and compassion they so well deserve.