Adil Najam
The pictures that follow are graphic and horrific. So, please do not scroll any further if you think you cannot handle them.
These are pictures of a dog fight, taken yesterday outside the village of Lora in Abbottabad District. But such fights happen in many places in Pakistan. Not every day, but often enough for all of us to be incensed, to be disgusted, and to be angry about.
There are some who consider this to be a sport. They are wrong. Very very wrong. This is not sport. This is cruelty. This is inhuman. This is also illegal.
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1890 is clear on this point: Section 3(a) reads as follows: “if any person overdrives, beats, or otherwise treats any animal so as to subject it to unnecessary pain or suffering, he shall be punished, in the case of a first offence, with fine… or with imprisonment. .. or with both.”
But – think about it – do we really need a law to recognize that what is happening in these pictures is just wrong. Very very wrong. Cruel. And illegal.
There are others who will tell us that this happens elsewhere too, including other places where it is technically illegal. In Latin America, in Russia, in Central Asia, and even in the United States. That is true. But that makes this what we see in these pictures (or what happens in those countries) no less wrong. No less cruel. No less inhuman. No less disgusting.
Its barbaric, inhuman and pure Evil.
I think we have a problem in how we discuss and analyze the issues facing Pakistan. Yes, there are many and we can say some are more serious than others. However, I don’t think this means that anytime someone brings up a problem, we just state that it is not important relative to another problem so end of discussion.
Cruelty to animals is a big sin in Islam so if we are willing to complain about social issues because they are sins in Islam, let’s tackle this issue as well.
The drone attacks that are always brought up are a sad reality. Pakistan has become a country with absolutely no law and order. The fact that this absence of law and order is now allowing other countries to be attacked (with the planning taking place in Pakistan) is what is causing all of this. The international criminal court has already said the drone attacks are illegal. Have you ever wondered why Pakistan has not taken the US to court then? The government is aware of the problems emanating from the tribal areas and I am absolutely sure that they have given the green light for the attacks. You would be a fool to think that any other official would refuse the US if they were in the same position (Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Farooq Sattar, Asfandyar Wali etc). Pakistan needs to tackle the root of these problems, which is education and the economy. Within these two categories, there are many subcategories that need to be addressed. Different segments of society can focus on specific issues. The whole country doesn’t need to be delusional and protest drone attacks and stay silent when someone with training in N Waziristan tries to blow up a busy street in New York.
In my opinion, it is equally sad and apathetic that a dog fight and the sufferings incurred due to this sport or the likes is compared with the death and suffering of the people who have lost their lives in bombing, blasts, terrorist attacks and so on.
Furthermore, I wish we can stand by the fact that “wrong” is simply “wrong” and nothing can justify it whether a victim is an animal or a human being.
Shame on those who justify such acts!
Pakistan main insaniat ka janaza hee nikal chuka ha!
In my opinion, it is equally sad and apathetic that a dog fight and the sufferings incurred due to this sport or the likes is comapring with the death and suffering of the people who have lost their lives in bombing, blasts, terrorist attacks and so on.
Furthermore, I wish we can stand by the fact that “wrong” is simply “wrong” and nothing can justify it whether a victim is an animal or a human being.
Shame on those who justify such acts!
Pakistan main insaniat ka janaza hee nikal chuka ha!
OK! Lets have some perspective here.
I would never condone or participate in anything like this. But it’s really fascinating how people react (or rather overreact) to animal abuse. Animals are animals. That’s why we use donkeys to drag our carts, and slaughter cows for food. No outrage there? Ok what you see in this article is wrong. But aren’t there so many worse things happening to HUMANS so much MORE FREQUENTLY than the occasional dog fight? We have become so desensitized to human suffering, yet seeing animals in pain prompts us to throw around words like “disgusting!” and “horrific!” Not to mention, these people probably don’t have a whole lot of other forms of entertainment available to them, unlike so many of the expatriates who post responses here. So lets have a little perspective, and lets not be so judgemental.
Peace