Recently, us Egyptians have been priding ourselves in our new-found ability to adopt new, merciful ideals, even if they are different from those we’ve learned to accept as we grew up. One of said ideals is defending animal rights. Before we get flooded with angry comments about how our culture isn’t cruel to animals, let us tell you that this is the culture in which people say things like “edba7laha el otta” (which is demeaning to both animals and women), sacrifice animals during exorcism rituals, and routinely shoot and poison stray animals as parts of “Governmental Campaigns”.
“let us tell you that this is the culture in which people say things like “edba7laha el otta” (which is demeaning to both animals and women)”
It is worth mentioning that spaying and neutering animals can easily solve the overpopulation issue without brutally murdering animals. As Abdo Youssef from Cairo Animal Rescue Team (CART) mentioned to us before. This solution is extremely feasible, and is called for by the many animal rights organizations in Egypt, but for whatever reason it is still unemployed by the Egyptian government.
“It’s not unusual to hear someone planning to poison the kittens or puppies in their building.”
When faced with these facts, one is forced to believe that it has been embedded in our culture that shooting animals point blank is something to be taken lightly. It’s not unusual to hear someone planning to poison the kittens or puppies in their building. And while it is true that more Egyptians are becoming outspoken about animal rights and are trying to educate others on the subject, the fact remains that the vast majority don’t mind the government’s animal shooting campaigns, and would even poison animals themselves if this doesn’t happen.
Sadly, this isn’t our only problem in Egypt when it comes to animal cruelty. The previous issue, although terrible, can still be fixed with education and raising awareness. The people who condone the shooting and poisoning of animals might be doing so simply because they aren’t aware that another, more merciful, solution exists.
Things seem a lot bleaker when it comes to intentional animal abuse; something which unfortunately Egyptians know all too well. The rising number of animal abuse cases can be attributed to the fact that it is more commonly reported nowadays. Some will argue that animal abuse didn’t increase, it’s just the fact that now we know about those cases. Even if that were true, this doesn’t make it any better. Even more alarming is the fact that animal abuse is most common in children. Children will sometimes use puppies or kittens as footballs, they will torture them for no reason, and will even kill them at times.
“Children will sometimes use puppies or kittens as footballs, they will torture them for no reason, and will even kill them at times.”
This behavior, according to some mental healthcare professionals, can be an indicator to violence in adulthood. However, it is a common thing to see in Egypt, dismissed lightly with phrases like “boys will be boys”. Children are showing early signs of violence by torturing animals and we, as a community turn a blind eye, just as we do when the government shoots helpless dogs, or poisons hungry cats on the street, deeming it “necessary”.
“Children are showing early signs of violence by torturing animals and we, as a community turn a blind eye, just as we do when the government shoots helpless dogs, or poisons hungry cats on the street, deeming it “necessary”.”
If this is how we, as a society, deal with violence towards animals, how is it expected of us to act otherwise when humans – who have the power to defend themselves – are met with violence? When the sight of a helpless puppy looking at his dead mother doesn’t move us to demand a merciful way to deal with animal overpopulation, how can we call ourselves human?