Al-Jazirah

The pride of some people we see in the repeated stories of animal torture on social media is enough proof of the lack of awareness among some members of the society regarding animals and their God-given rights.

The animals are creatures with souls and spirits, which Almighty Allah has created to live on the earth and continue their life cycle as predetermined for them by the Creator.

This past week two stories on animal torture surfaced on social media. The first was about a man who used his knife to kill cats and the second about another man who found joy in murdering rabbits.

These two stories stood as clear evidence that these two persons are innate criminals with the love of crime deeply rooted in them. They find pleasure and joy in killing and torturing the poor animals.

They pour out their sick sentiments on the animals believing that the animals have no rights and that they would not be punished for their heinous crimes.

If it was in the hands of these murderers, they would not hesitate to kill human beings but they fear the law, which will sentence them to death for murdering human beings.

The killing and torturing of the poor animals is a clear practice of sadism against certain God's creatures. They kill animals in cold blood because they believe that they will not be held responsible for their crimes.

What the concerned security authorities, topped by Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, have done confirms to us that we are in for a new type of culture, which respects the rights of the animals and the preservation of their lives and dignity.

The Makkah Emir gave blanket clear instructions to apprehend the cat killer and to bring him to justice for his unjustifiable crime.

The individual and institutional efforts and social media have contributed one way or the other in changing the social culture, which does not care much for animals.

I have seen some pet shops announcing that they do not sell pets but sell their foods. This is another proof that the society is changing. The pets are not to be bought or sold but adopted and raised.

This was also a result of the continued campaigns to respect the animal rights and not to trade in pets.

The original characteristics in the hearts of humans are mercy and providence. Those who are heartless towards animals are psychologically imbalanced. They look down on animals and do not have any consideration or respect for them.

It is Almighty Allah who created the animals for a purpose. There is certain wisdom behind this.

The people who love pets are human beings with pure hearts, which have not been contaminated by hate for other creatures.

I personally have a rich experience with pets. I have a number of cats living with me under the same roof. I understand and communicate with them. Those who have the same experience would understand and appreciate my feelings towards the pets.

The laws to punish the killers and torturers of animals are sufficient indication of a new culture in the offing. These laws were made to protect the rights of the animals.

We will see the effects of these laws in the very near future. A new humanitarian feeling towards the pets is being born in our society.

There is an imminent reshaping of sentiments to the animals in our society.