Be kind

From the desk of Mama Piggy:

According to the latest issue of the SPCA Bulletin (Feb/Mar 07 ), there was a 25 per cent spike in the number of alleged animal abuse cases investigated by the SPCA in 2006. In absolute terms, the SPCA handled 916 such cases last year.

Some highlighted cases include:
- A Maltese dog thrown to its death from the 22nd storey of a Fernvale Road flat
- A two and a half month old kitten beaten by a man with a wooden pole
- Two stray dogs poisoned with insecticide
- Stray cat kicked by teen

Of course, it is possible that an increased awareness of animal welfare has led to more abuse cases being reported, instead of a real increase in animal abuse.

But whenever I come across such news, I can't help but feel that it is such a sick world we are living in. We do not even have the basic respect for life. Then again, when even domestic maids are treated like animals and denied proper food and rest, what do you expect our fellow Singaporeans to feel toward stray cats and unwanted dogs?

Will animal abuse ever be eradicated? I hope to live to see that day!

As HH The Dalai Lama said: "If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them."

I think the "others" include the animals that live among us too.