Witnessing acts of cruelty and mental health

Jul 30, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

With the advent of groups and individuals advocating for improved animal welfare and the growing support countrywide it is evident that the people want change. Communities want a better environment free of suffering, sick animals and to ultimately curb cruel practices and abuse. The growth and spread of awareness for good animal welfare puts the spotlight on the overlooked harsh lives and working conditions of working animals. With the use of social media, cruel acts and abuse seen countrywide are broadcasted which would have otherwise gone unknown and the general consensus is to arrest the growth of this abhorrence which has an impact on mental wellbeing as a result of witnessing acts of cruelty and unnecessary suffering of animals.

Research indicates the existence of compelling evidence linking cruelty to animals to violence in humans. Like other forms of abuse animal abuse is about power and control over a helpless victim. A society which allows animal cruelty to be practiced with impunity, handicaps the growth of moral virtues of empathy, tolerance, compassion, kindness, fairness, self-control and care.

The lack of action by authorities to confront acts of cruelty and abuse forcibly subjects the mental wellbeing of its people to maltreatment. Cruel treatment and harsh lives of working animals are often dismissed as characteristic of “making a living”; a primitive inherited economic justification which can no longer be upheld if a society is poised to develop culturally, economically and socially and plans to advance the conservation of the environment.

Subjecting citizens to witness and accept this abhorrence can provoke negative long and short-term effects on mental wellbeing. Animal cruelty is a form of family violence; a catalyst for the cycle of violence and societal issues. Whether a person is a witness or direct recipient of abuse the impact is similar in nature such as depression, anxiety, delinquency, low self-esteem, self-destruction and risk taking.

Authorities must act and address the prevalence of cruelty to animals especially working animals witnessed daily through overloading and overworking often resulting in death of the animal due to exhaustion and negligent healthcare such as was in the case where an overworked pregnant horse collapsed and died in front the National Stadium Providence; whipping and flogging of the animal when it cannot pull extreme weight with improper equipment.; unsupervised roaming of the public roadways compromising public safety; often a cause of vehicular accidents. Often irresponsible and negligent owners of animals are not held to account for injuries and damages which put the animals at risk of abuse by angry distressed victims when the owners continue to operate with impunity.

Change must come whether it requires revising existing legislation regarding cruelty to animals and enforcement of same. Last but not least stakeholders and enforcement mechanisms must cooperate as partners to achieve desired goals for healthier environment and happier communities.

Regards
Tricia Azaire

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