16:33 Gulf News: “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Mahatma Gandhi
16:34 Sudha Kathuria: I come from the land of Gandhi, where reverence towards animals is part of our rituals. People of such lands cannot tolerate that innocent animals are euthanised or slaughtered to death for petty reasons. India is known as the land of snake charmers, and that tells you about how we approach all living beings on Earth. A healthy attitude towards animals definitely reflects the health of a nation.
16:35 Shweta Madhu: I agree with Gandhi’s saying. I believe that animal rights are just as important as human rights. A good nation takes care of its people, but a great nation has equal consideration for both its people and its animals.
16:36 Anjum Hassan: I agree with Gandhi’s commitment to nonviolence, and how he always included animals, stating that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
16:36 Vishwa Patne: The way animals are treated in a nation shows how each and every living being is treated. I’d rather say that the greatness of a human being can be judged by the way he or she treats animals.
16:38 Shweta Madhu: It is not about whether animals can talk or reason, rather about their suffering. To care and respect animals out of choice, shows the nature and compassion of a person more than anything else.
16:38 Rayan El Moghrabi: I agree that a nation can be judged by their treatment towards animals. It is the basic level of humanity that everyone should follow.
16:38 Anjum Hassan: I go by the quote of Paul Harvey who says: “Ever occur to you why some of us can be this concerned with animals’ suffering? Because the government is not. Why not? Animals don’t vote.” This applies to the Spanish case.
16:40 Anjum Hassan: Treating animals brutally reflects not only on the nation but on yourself as well.
16:40 Rayan El Moghrabi: You can judge anyone - not just countries, by how those who are weaker are treated. It is just that some like to abuse their power.
16:40 Shweta Madhu: As a country, Spain has had a multitude of issues with regards to animal rights. Legal bull fights, ongoing cock and dog fights and lack of regulations against animal abuse are all common problems. However, we cannot confuse the government and the people here. While individuals in the country who care deeply about animal rights may exist, the Spanish health authorities as such, have not been right in putting down the dog, especially with no solid proof surrounding their claims.
16:41 Rayan El Moghrabi: Nobody bothered to even check if the dog was infected, and that is probably because it is more costly. So, they chose to euthanise him instead, because it’s easier.
16:42 Vishwa Patne: The fact that the decision was taken by the health authorities, is a very important aspect. It was related to the health of the entire nation as well as other nations. Euthanesia is neutral, and can be done for a negative or positive objective.
16:43 Gulf News: No living being should be euthanised without first exhausting all other options.
16:44 Sudha Kathuria: If you look at this issue from a biological and environmental perspective, an ecological balance is brought in by killing animals through other animals. Cats are known to bring in the best eco-balance in all agricultural countries, where pests are automatically killed by them. In turn, eco-balance is maintained, but also helps to save crops from a pest attack. However, slaughtering them out of ignorance is nothing less than a crime.
16:44 Rayan El Moghrabi: Of course we should exhaust all other options before making such a decision. We have no right to take away a life without solid proof of their danger to those around us.
16:45 Shweta Madhu: Providing proof that the dog was carrying the virus would have been an expensive and time-consuming affair. So, ending his life proved to be the easier solution. Looking at this issue ethically, while the owner was quarantined and tested time and again, the dog was not given this option, which only serves to highlight the ignorance and callousness of the Spanish authorities.
16:46 Rayan El Moghrabi: Many people think it doesn’t matter because he is “just an animal”. However, those who have owned animals think of them as family.
16:46 Anjum Hassan: People may not know the fact that animals have similar levels of biological complexity as humans and are conscious and aware that they exist. Irrespective of how expensive or exhaustive treatment may be, one needs to scrutinise and go deeper. The dog should have been quarantined and taken care of, like his owner, rather than being euthanised.
16:49 Shweta Madhu: Euthanasia is performed on animals as a last resort when there is no room for survival and letting them go is the compassionate thing to do. Euthanasia without reason, on the other hand, is nothing but a cowardly act of the authorities washing their hands of any extra work they would have had to put in.
16:50 Gulf News: Animals deserve the same rights as humans do.
16:51 Anjum Hassan: Animals were brought to Earth to serve human beings. This view originated from scriptures, but probably reflects a basic human attitude towards other species. Animals are put to misuse more than to use.
16:51 Sudha Kathuria: Just like us, they are living beings and therefore, also have the right to protect themselves, to good health and to live a care-free life as humans.
16:51 Anjum Hassan: Comedian Ellen DeGeneres once said: “I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it’s such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.”
16:52 Rayan El Moghrabi: Euthanesia is the least messy way to kill, however it is very painful. The animal does not simply “go to sleep”. Aside from the fear, they are in pain, their body spasms for a while and they defecate on themselves before finally passing away.
16:53 Shweta Madhu: I believe that animals and humans should have equal rights, but it isn’t practical to think so. We see ourselves as superior beings, but if humans deserve a chance to live, animals do too.
16:54 Rayan El Moghrabi: Animals were not put on this world for us to abuse them; they deserve not only kind treatment but also respect. Just because you are stronger than someone, doesn’t mean abusing them is correct. It took humanity many years to learn not to do it to other humans. Who knows how long it will take before animals are given their rights as well?
16:56 Vishwa Patne: To a certain extent, yes, animals deserve the basic fundamental right to live as humans do. They deserve to live a healthy life and to be taken care of.
16:59 Shweta Madhu: Extending the principle of equality is nothing more than a clear understanding that everyone’s interests need to be considered as equal. Just because the interests of a human being and an animal vary, doesn’t mean that either is superior to the other. It is sad to think that while we say this, it will be centuries before it is put into practice, simply because there cannot be equality between animals and humans when there is barely equality among humans themselves.
17:00 Rayan El Moghrabi: How can it be that every religion, law and culture demands kindness to animals, but many still feel it is okay to abuse them? I believe if there were stricter penalties and proper monitoring, people would give these animals more consideration. It is also important to note that if animals are sedated before they are euthanised, they will not feel pain. However, that is an additional cost many won’t pay if it is not their own pet.
-Compiled by Donia Jenabzadeh/Community Web Editor