Honourable Prime Minister,

Re: Change the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW) ‘Catch and Kill’ policy and enact and enforce new Animal Rights law for animals’ protection and welfare or close down the MSAW.

I am writing this letter to express my disagreement with respect to the way stray animals are being treated in Mauritius and also to suggest solutions that would help to tackle the issue.

It is very unfortunate that despite being in 2021, authorities still do not have any compassion towards our defenceless stray animals.

Lately, there have been a couple of cases of animal cruelty that have come to light and that have triggered the question of whether some humans are absolutely devoid of pity, sympathy or respect for animals’ lives. Such incidents have further enraged and frustrated many and have made one ponder as to whether the existing Mauritian laws are sufficient enough to protect animals from abuse and cruelty.

We have recently witnessed the unexplained disappearance of about 300 dogs at MSAW and dogs have been starved to death during the Covid-19 lockdown. Videos of starving dogs eating carcasses of dead ones and I personally witnessed such cannibalism during a visit to MSAW two years ago.

If the Government keeps killing and torturing animals, it will undoubtedly send the wrong signal to laypersons who would not hesitate to hurt, harm and kill those innocent species. Animal protectors and volunteers do their best to protect the stray animals.

However, as you must be aware, they have very little options to protect them. Dogs are strayed because of people’s irresponsibility, neglect, abandonment and abuse. People prefer to buy or breed pets instead of adopting animals from shelters, where they have been rescued, treated, dewormed and already sterilised.

We are in the 21st century and we need to stop these brutal practices, which are vestiges of our colonial past and colonial masters. As civilised and good human beings, we must realise that killing any living being is atrocious and no creature on Earth deserves to die in such cruel ways. If killing humans is considered to be a major sin, then how is killing our stray animals not a sin? Sooner or later we will have to pay for it.nd care and they act no different from our children.

Despite many manifestations and appeals to the Government to stop the killing operations of stray animals, nothing has changed. It is unfortunate that the Government continues to turn a deaf ear to the plea to end the ‘Catch and Kill’ Policy.

Why kill these animals? Just because they are voiceless, humans think they can snatch their rights to live on this planet. Who gave us the right to kill? Who are we? GOD? Are we superior to GOD?

Why do we have to murder them? Are they robbers, murderers or rapists? What are their faults? Even the guilty has a right to life. Even the most notorious criminals have the right to be free after serving their sentence.

Why do humans think that they are more superior and have more right to life than any other species?

Why do we have to kill them? Let them live and let them be loved.

We are in the 21st century and we need to stop these brutal practices, which are vestiges of our colonial past and colonial masters. As civilised and good human beings, we must realise that killing any living being is atrocious and no creature on Earth deserves to die in such cruel ways. If killing humans is considered to be a major sin, then how is killing our stray animals not a sin? Sooner or later we will have to pay for it.

Would the Government catch and kill a homeless person? Do we have the right to kill an HIV or Covid-19 patient even if he/she carries contagious diseases? Then, why do we treat contagious human beings and kill the other species even when they are healthy?

Enough of murdering, the stray animals have every right to live on this planet just like we do. They are already having a tough time on the streets without food, without shelter, car running over them, people beating and poisoning them. Are we so heartless to add more pain to them? No one has the right to kill or brutalise any living being.

Dogs share the same environment as humans and play an important role in their ecological adjustment.

We do not want to be struck by nature’s revenge.

We want the strays to be protected. They are born in this country and should be given rights, especially the right to life. The government must endeavour to protect the stray animals by harshly punishing those who harm stray animals.

There are endless possibilities to make a change. Instead of murdering them, we can solve the problem in a more civilised way, for example:

(i) Sterilise, vaccinate and release.

(ii) Re-home, build shelters and encourage adoption.

(iii) Humane Education must be included in the core of schools' curriculum.

(iv) Enforce and enact animal protection laws.

(v) Public and Private Bodies, Hotels and other organisations can start Community Pets Program i.e. feed the strays in their localities, sterilise them, build shelters for them, take care and treat them in case they need medical help.

(vi) As it is the practice in other countries, dogs can be trained as faithful and reliable companions for the elderly, handicapped, blind citizens of all ages, thus reducing their dependence on human carers.

The government could increase financial and political support for and cooperate with NGOs to provide sufficient immunity, vaccinating and neutering services for stray dogs.

All religions, in spite of their differences, converge on some fundamental points, and some of these points concern our responsibility toward animals. Animal care is both a moral and religious obligation.

MSAW is supposedly for the welfare of animals, but unfortunately, we are seeing the complete opposite. If barbarism was a culture, we would still be in prehistory because there would be no need to evolve.

What are we teaching our children, that violence is okay? Killing is okay? Murder is okay?

Are we not imposing psychological trauma on young children, trauma which will leave lifelong scars on their vulnerable minds? Is it not the right time to start teaching compassion and empathy to our children in schools and colleges instead of sending MSAW dog catchers to trap innocent animals?

Now MSAW is imposing such trauma to teachers, doctors, nurses, patients, visitors to hospitals, to the public, who are compelled to watch helplessly as MSAW dog catchers trap harmless animals to be butchered.

If they speak up their mind, they are accused of obstruction. Are we telling our people that it is okay to kill these dogs because they are easy to catch, unaware that they are going to be betrayed by the very human beings to whom they are loyal and trust?

Killing or causing any harm to innocent animals is morally wrong and absolutely condemnable. If one cannot help them live, at least one can show compassion to these innocent beings and let them live safely.

Sir, my humble appeal to you to please put an end to the “Catch and Kill Policy” and to kindly do the needful to spare the lives of these innocent animals.

Enclosed is a signed petition.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours faithfully,

Ms. Sitarah Boodnah

Concerned Citizen of Mauritius & Animal Rights Activist