Animals Suffer as Authorities Stand Idle

Asem Mustafa Awan

The last two weeks of June, coinciding with Hajj, have brought forth a series of distressing news from Pakistan, highlighting an alarming trend of cruelty towards animals.

The instances of brutal violence against defenseless creatures have not only shocked the nation but also attracted global condemnation.

One of the most harrowing incidents involved a young camel in Pakistan who faced a brutal fate for merely stepping onto the land of a feudal lord in search of food. This innocent creature was punished severely by having its front leg cut off. 

The image of the crying camel, with tears streaming down its face and a visibly amputated leg, spread like wildfire, drawing international outrage. Despite the uproar, the landlord responsible for this heinous act remains unpunished, and the fate of the camel, handed over to authorities, is still unknown.

This incident was not isolated.

In Sindh province, another female camel faced an even worse fate as all four of her legs were severed, leading to her painful death. This act of cruelty was reportedly due to the camel trespassing in search of food, highlighting the severe deprivation and harsh realities faced by animals in the region.

In Punjab, a monetary dispute led to a man attempting to burn six cows, including calves, by dousing them with petrol. The condition of these animals, whether they survived or not, remains unclear, adding to the distress of the situation.

Additionally, a donkey had its ears cut off, and a pregnant donkey was shot multiple times while grazing for food, showcasing the pervasive and unchecked violence against animals.

The abuse is not limited to recent events. Under former President Musharraf’s tenure, bear baiting, a barbaric practice where toothless, clawless bears are pitted against dogs, was banned. However, this sadistic sport persists in some regions, fueled by individuals who derive perverse pleasure from such spectacles.

Pakistan has repeatedly made global headlines for its mistreatment of animals. The case of Kaavan, the world’s loneliest elephant, encapsulates this plight. For decades, Kaavan lived in deplorable conditions in Islamabad Zoo until international outcry, led by US pop icon Cher, facilitated his rescue. 

Today, Kaavan roams free in Cambodia, a stark contrast to the grim reality faced by many animals in Pakistan. Kaavan, who came to Pakistan as a presidential gift from Sri Lanka as a yearling, left the country with a presidential pardon from former President Arif Alvi. 

The story of Kaavan depicts that as a nation, we cannot treasure or value gifts, let alone national heroes.

These incidents underline the urgent need for robust animal protection laws and strict enforcement mechanisms in Pakistan. 

The rampant cruelty reflects not only a lack of compassion but also a failure of the legal system to hold perpetrators accountable. It is imperative for the international community to support and pressurize local authorities to take definitive action against such acts of violence.

The tales of the crying camel, the mutilated cows, and the tortured donkeys are not just stories of individual cruelty but are symptomatic of a broader societal malaise. 

To prevent future atrocities and to foster a culture of compassion, it is essential to bring the tyrants to task and ensure that justice prevails for all living beings.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.

Photo Credit: Representational image. Screengrab via Facebook