The issue of basic human rights versus animal welfare has generated intense controversy all over the country. There may be a need for animal welfare but this should not blind anyone to the priority of the basic human right to life, safety and health guaranteed to all under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
There has been failure of the relevant authorities in discharging their responsibility under the Municipal and Panchayat Acts, which mandates the local authorities to protect the citizens, by detaining and eliminating, by approved humane methods stray and surplus animals and this policy has the approval of the Animal Welfare Board of India. At least 30,000 die a horrendous painful death from rabies,and many lakhs more suffer injuries, financial losses and even loss of life due to stray dogs.The principal victims of this bizarre reversal of values where animals are favoured over humans are children and the poor and under privileged who are not covered by socio-medical care schemes. Human Rights should not be endangered in such a way that the majority population is traumatized in order to keep a select few Animal activists happy. The public, especially the elderly and children should be able to walk the streets without being terrorized by stray dogs. We have to be able to drive on our roads and so-called highways without having cattle squatting all along. Aires Rodrigues Ribandar a ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
