Kritiek dierenactivisten op wijdverspreide dierenmishandeling in Bahrain - Puppies enkittens als voer gebruikt voor vechthonden

Activists slam animal cruelty

27-11-2009 By REBECCA TORR, Gulf Daily News, Bahrain


ACTIVISTS have spoken out against widespread animal cruelty in Bahrain, saying they are faced with horrific examples of inhuman treatment on a daily basis. The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) estimates more than 1,000 animals a year have to be put down because it is unable to find them new homes.

However, many of those are already on the verge of death because of the terrible treatment they have endured.

Specific examples brought to the BSPCA have included small dogs and kittens used as bait for fighting dogs, a Dalmatian with gunshot wounds after apparently being used as target practice, a dog almost starved to death with hundreds of ticks and maggots in its wounds and another dog that had been doused with petrol ready to be set on fire.

However, the BSPCA says it is powerless to act - since it does not have the authority to seize abused animals from their owners, while animal protection laws already in place lack teeth.

"We have been to the authorities about having some kind of dog catcher or animal police, but we don't have this at the moment," said BSPCA fundraising co-ordinator Joyce Hughes.
"We would like to have some sort of authority, even if it means the police can come with us.

"We catch what we can, but we aren't allowed to use a tranquilliser gun because it looks like a gun.
"Also we have no power to take animals that are being abused even though there is a law against animal cruelty." According to the 1976 Penal Code, any person who tortures or causes severe physical pain to a pet or domestic animal, maltreats it or refrains from taking care of it faces a punishment of up to three months in prison or a fine of up to BD20.

However, Ms Hughes claimed the law was insufficient and wasn't being properly implemented.

As a result, Ms Hughes said most abused animals received by the BSPCA had to be put down - either because it did not have the resources to rehabilitate them or their condition was so poor they would not be able to recover.

"The sanctuary only has finite resources and space and because of that many cruelty cases have to be euthanised," she said.
"You spend so much time and money rehabilitating animals and at the end they might not be 'homeable'.

"It breaks our heart having to put them to sleep, but we also have to be guardians of our resources and in any SPCA you have to make harsh decisions because we can't save them all." The BSPCA receives about 1,500 animals a year, but less than 20 per cent find homes.

However, Ms Hughes argued that if the BSPCA didn't exist only a fifth of animals would find new homes and many more would die on the streets.
"Some of the cruelty cases I've taken I would love to help, but I have four dogs myself," she said.
Awareness "We are all animal lovers and this (putting them down) goes against our grain, but we also have healthy dogs that we must think of that will make good pets." The BSPCA is now trying to raise awareness about animal cruelty because so many people seem to be unaware of the harm they cause to their pets.

Part of that includes educating the public on how to look after their pets and offering advice to those who want it.

"We will give veterinary care guidance and educate them about how to take care of their animals," she said.

"A lot of what we see is purely lack of education, but some are downright cruelty where people even set fire to animals. "The message we want to send is if you don't want your pet, bring them to the BSPCA or euthanise them - but don't let them starve to death." That sentiment was echoed by BSPCA sanctuary manager Jane Bowtell, who stressed that despite limited resources the BSPCA could receive animals at its sanctuary in Shakhura 24 hours a day. A driver and van can also be called out round the clock to collect animals.

She added many of the animal cruelty cases the BSPCA came across involved underground dogfights. "There is a lot of cruelty where dogs are used for street fighting," said Ms Bowtell.

"Pitbulls and German Shepherds are mainly used for fighting - they are taught to kill and fight and kittens and small dogs are used as bait, but none of these animals can be rehomed." To contact the BSCPA sanctuary, call 17591231.

becky@gdn.com.bh

(Bron: http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/)
(Bron foto: http://www.bspca.org/)