Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
The article discusses the challenges posed by pet ownership. This issue is significant, particularly in urban areas. Some owners neglect their responsibilities towards their pets and the community. It details an incident where a neighbour’s dog defecated in public spaces. This behaviour shows a lack of civic sense among some individuals. The discussion extends to the legal expectations of pet owners. It focuses on animal care and cleanliness. It also references the recent Animal Birth Control Rules 2023. The piece emphasises the historical bond between humans and animals. It advocates for humane treatment and responsible pet ownership. This ensures public safety.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Pet ownership poses challenges, especially in urban areas, with some owners neglecting responsibilities to their pets and community.
- Neglect is clear in incidents like dogs defecating in public spaces, highlighting a lack of civic sense.
- Legal obligations include humane treatment and cleanliness, as emphasized by recent Animal Birth Control Rules 2023.
- The social responsibility of pet owners involves maintaining cleanliness and training pets to avoid public nuisances.
- Ultimately, responsible pet ownership requires a commitment to keeping both animals and the community safe and clean.
Introduction
It happened again. As an annoying daily routine, every morning dog-shit found on the gate of the house. A close observation of the CCTV footage cleared the picture. A neighbour’s pet dog was responsible. It defecated all over and littered everywhere, including on the gate of the house. Every morning, the gentleman goes for a morning walk with his pet. He doesn’t mind his dog littering everywhere. Ironically, the gentleman would become furious if he noticed shit around his house.
Unreasonable neighbour
At the beginning of the conversation, the gentleman was polite and showed his ignorance. Soon, he started shouting, stubbornly trying to deny the point of dog defecation. He claimed that neither he nor his dog did it. The proof was glaring. He became defensive, starting to make excuses about his dog. Caught on the wrong side, he was shamelessly defending his actions.
Ignorance is not bliss
This is a usual feature in cities, especially in newly developed colonies. The neo-rich behave wildly. They simply do not give civic sense a damn. Ownership and having dogs as pets is more a vogue than genuine. Some of them feed stray dogs. They take pride in the show of humane behaviour, like feeding “mute animals”. Having a pet is a personal choice, but ignoring the inconvenience to others is uncivil. The behaviour exacerbates when they show aversion to this type of ignorance by others.
Social norms
A plethora of literature is available on dogs and pets. The pet lovers must adhere to the social norms and people’s inconveniences. Recently, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India has taken a strong note of it and issued orders about it. Hon’ble court fell heavily on those who are careless about their pets.
The relationship
The relationships between humans and animals started long ago. The first domesticated animal was the dog. It was some 15000 years ago. Dogs accompanied humans in many epics, like the Mahabharata. The dog stayed with the Pandavas during their exile. It was also with them in their last days when they were trying to go to heaven. No member of the Pandavas except Youdhisthir reached heaven. He was accompanied by a dog. The companionship is long and strongly bonded. Humans must understand the needs of animals and take care of them, if need be.
Ignorence
Ironically, pet ownership is for fun. People like to call themselves “Pet-lovers” or “Animal lovers”. Largely uninformed about the law and rules on the matter, they cause a significant nuisance. With limited mental capacity, animals “learn” to behave properly. Thus, it is their keepers who should behave sensibly and abide by the rules.
Status symbol?
The increasing tendency to tame dangerous breeds or hunting dogs is gaining momentum. It is used to flaunt the financial “status” and “position” of the owner. A billboard displaying “Beware of Dogs” has become frequent. It is a sign of their “high” strata in society. It is now the onus of the visitor to save themselves from the impending dog attack.
The Law
The law about animals is clear. It is imperative to treat animals humanely. Animals recognise their territory, and they are traumatised when dislocated. Their dislocation is prohibited. Yet, the legal remedies are also provided. The pet animals must periodically be vaccinated against Rabies or other such deadly diseases.
Classical conditioning
Domesticated animals adapt easily to the situations. Russian physiologist Evan Pavlov who won the Nobel Prize in 1904 propounded his famous theory of “Classical Conditioning”. A type of learning that creates an association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus. He showed that the linked sound of the bell with food caused salivation in the dog. (Very well mind)
(1) Pet ownership
Behavioural changes can be inculcated in pet animals. They can be trained to defecate in designated places. In case of littering, it is cleaned at once. According to the rules, the pet owners must clean the litter right away thereafter. Littering in public places should be a strict No. A few “lovers” who feed stray animals, especially dogs, must take care that the animals do not harm passersby. Unnecessary barking, growling or chasing a passerby or children sometimes becomes fatal. Incidents of fatal injuries by dog biting and the spread of Rabies are a cause of concern. Pet ownership is a responsible job. Their pets mustn’t harm others.
The rules
Animal Birth Control Rules 2023 superseded the earlier rule of 2001, incorporating the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s guidelines. Rule 10 of the obligates stray animals Local Authority to set up facilities and sterilisation of animals. Rule 10(4) empowers the Authority to inquire into the violation of the provisions. The cleanliness drive (Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan) is ineffective until the rules are effectively executed. People need to be aware of the issue. They should cooperate with the Authorities to keep the cleanliness of the area and the country. (Animal Birth Control Rules 2023)
(1) Inherent love and compassion
Animals treated with love and compassion in ancient India. It has found space in the Indian Constitution too. Under Article 51A(g) of the Constitution, citizens have a fundamental duty. They must have compassion for living creatures and nature conservation.
Social responsibility
It is the social responsibility of each individual to keep the country clean and behave sensibly and compassionately towards animals. They are not merely an instrument of pleasure. Keeping animals as pets increases the responsibilities of the owners. Good habits pay and help enhance the quality of life. Appropriate pet care instruments, including a poop scooper is easily available on the online platform https://amzn.to/3Mdy64X
In the end
If a pet can understand one thing, it needs to be taught not litter anywhere. It should be in a fixed place. Good habits need to be inculcated. It is the moral responsibility of pet lovers and owners to keep them in a healthy and clean environment.
Further reads:
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