Animal Cruelty
When I moved to Anguilla, many years ago, I heard terrible stories about barbaric blood sports of dog fighting and cock fighting on the island. I was repulsed by this idea but I knew it happened and it was a part of island’s culture. These blood feasts are carried out in secret and most residents and visitors are not aware of the fact that, on this beautiful paradise island, animals fight and die for the enjoyment and profit of people.
In last week’s edition of The Anguillian, Don Mitchell shone a needed light on the inhumane crime of dog fighting which is a crime punishable by fines and imprisonment. Of course prosecution necessitates people speaking out and speaking up.
Victimizing helpless animals is cruel and speaks very poorly against our society. There is a thin line between those who abuse animals and those who abuse children. I am proud of the steps being taken to protect children and prosecute those who harm them, but it is time we go after those who neglect and torture animals. I call on law enforcement to prosecute anyone involved. It seems unlikely that their names are not known. Remaining silent is akin to endorsement. Our people are better than that. What would our guests think had they come across the carcasses shown in the published photographs?
As Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” How great do we choose to be?
Name withheld
