BE HUMAN BEINGS, NOT HUMANS

BY SELMA PINTO

Grumble! Grumble! Grumble! That’s what I hear most people do, when dogs bark, monkeys enter their compounds, or the like.

Now let me ask you, what do they do when people disturb the poor animals? They cannot fight back except to use their natural instincts. I hear so many reports of dogs attacking kids. In the first place, did anyone ask the dog why he attacked? Not really. Why does the dog not have a fair trial like us humans? Sadly, because we humans cannot understand the dog’s language, even though it is making its point.

We grumble and take action when animals enter our territory. It may be our compound, may be our city. On the contrary, what do animals do when humans enter their territory? By instinct, they will attack or kill. They do not have any courts or laws to help them. And most importantly, just like us humans, they want to safeguard their territory.

Why can’t humans understand that we are invading their territory and hence, due to lack of space, they are entering human territory, much of which originally belonged to them? Why can’t we build higher, than going wider? If we don’t invade their territory, we not only retain our forests, which by cutting trees we are destroying our environment, but are also safeguarding wild animals from entering ‘our’ space.

An animal attacks only when hungry or is being attacked. But in the city, all humans attack the poor animal, making so much of noise, mainly for pleasure. The animal which is already so afraid is traumatized.

Picture courtesy- www.latitudenews.com

Now think about it. Why can’t we teach our children not to harm animals? First of all, this should begin at home. Parents are mostly to be blamed for their children throwing stones at dogs or other harmless animals on the street. I’ve found most parents just shunning animals. When children hear them, automatically they too begin to fear and shun animals. You don’t have to go out of your way and help in any way if you don’t like animals. But it would be nice if you didn’t talk against them either.

Teach your children to love animals. Teach them that they feel pain as much as you do. Teach them that human beings are so much more blessed since they can voice their feelings, both emotionally and physically. But animals cannot. You can be sure that your children will be better human beings, and not just humans.

Try this out. Watch people’s character. Those who are afraid of animals, but do not harm them, are also harmless people. But beware of those who harm animals. They are really dangerous people and cannot be trusted.