Question general election candidates about animal rights issues and ask them to back bans on all egregiously cruel practices - Read John Fitzgerald's Letter to the Editor in this week's Avondhu and please scroll down for action alert...
Political Animals
The Avondhu: Nov. 15th 2024
With the election date now finally set, all the usual pressing issues will dominate the campaign…the housing crisis, the cost of living, pressures on the heath service, among others.
Though these concerns are of paramount importance as they pertain to the wellbeing of the nation, let’s not forget those beings that have no voice at this crucial time.
Animals fare badly in this ostensibly modern and civilized society of ours. Every year, thousands of horses and greyhounds vanish, seemingly into thin air, due mainly to failing performances or advanced age, apart from all the ones that die of their injuries on racetracks. Dog shelters are full to bursting of abandoned “sport” dogs and horses are routinely found dead, dying or emaciated in fields or on roadsides.
Foxes are, at this time of year, hounded across a winter landscape by people who get a thrill from a “tradition” that had no place in the last century, let alone this one. Hares are likewise chased, albeit over shorter distances, also for human amusement, to be terrorised and, in many cases, mauled, or tossed about like broken toys.
Thousands of bovines are sent on long and stressful sea journeys for slaughter, often in jurisdictions where animal welfare counts for nothing. Badgers are still trapped and killed, despite being a ‘protected’ species…scapegoated for the abysmal failure of the Bovine TB Eradication Scheme
These are sentient creatures with nervous systems and they feel pain much as humans do. At election time, unfortunately, they remain unheard, unable to voice their deep grievances as we can.
So, we must speak up for them. While not forgetting, or detracting from, our very real human issues, I urge readers to ask their election candidates to spare a thought also for those who have no voice.
Ask them to back measures proposed in the next Dail aimed at enhancing animal protection and banning all egregiously cruel practices.
Animals don’t live long. But can we at least stop making their short and humble lives a veritable hell-on earth?
Sincerely,
John Fitzgerald,
Callan, Co. Kilkenny
ACTION ALERT
In the general election on 29 November, please vote for animal-friendly candidates and reject those who support animal cruelty. Find out where candidates stand at https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2024/10/22/ge24/