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Home Opinion Column

More people speak up for animals

Dennis Dalman by Dennis Dalman
May 28, 2015
in Column, Opinion, Print Editions, Print Sartell - St. Stephen, Print St. Joseph
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Surrounded as we are by news that ranges from disturbing (California drought) to horrific (more ISIS atrocities), it’s so gratifying – absolutely uplifting – to hear such good news about animals.

Locally, the Tri-County Humane Society reports a 94-percent adoption rate for the critters at its shelter. That’s phenomenal because, typically at shelters, a 70-percent adoption rate is considered very good. The staff at the humane society attributes the adoption success to innovative approaches, animal-education outreach programs, the hard work of volunteers, the financial generosity of supporters and an increasing kindness and regard for animals among the public.

Fortunately, that same regard seems to be a national trend, too. A recent Gallup poll reveals more people believe “animals should have the same rights as people” by which they mean freedom from harm, pain, neglect, abuse and exploitation.

According to the care2 website, Gallup began asking animal-related questions in its polls back in 2003, when 25 percent of respondents said animals deserve to be treated humanely. Today, that number is 32 percent, increasing among all demographic groups. In addition, 62 percent of people believe animals deserve at least “some protection” from harm and exploitation.

More than two-thirds of people now say they are bothered by animals being exploited in circuses, sports and research. Fifty percent of people say they are concerned about animals being used in parks, aquariums and zoos. Just as many say they are disturbed when they hear about the painful mistreatment of animals raised for food.

These enlightened attitudes, no doubt, are due to education efforts in all media. WCCO-TV news shows, for example, frequently do feature spots on animals in need, animals who have been neglected or abused and where such animals can be adopted. Other news sources, increasingly, are featuring heart-warming and charming stories about pets and just how intelligent and “human-like” they can be.

In recent months, there have been stories based on undercover investigations that expose acts of vicious cruelty to animals before, on their way to or inside of slaughterhouses. There have also been frequent revelations about the deprivations and stresses involved in “training” animals used to “entertain” humans, including orca whales, elephants, chimpanzees and other wonderful animals.

Frequent animal-rights TV commercials showing the heartrending suffering of dogs and cats are, hopefully, having an effect on people’s increasing empathy for our fellow creatures.

Horrific news reports abound. One of the worst is occurring in China where stray dogs and cats are rounded up, kept in cages unfed for weeks, then brought to a killing factory where workers poke them out of cram-packed cages with sharp sticks, then club them to unconsciousness before skinning them, with some of the pitiful creatures still alive as they are skinned. And why? So their fur can be sold internationally to manufacturers who make “cute” stuffed toys or “chic” clothing.

Another abysmal type of animal abuse is dog-fighting, as highlighted in the media, especially after the notorious case of football player Mike Vick several years ago who was convicted of participating in the vicious, disgusting “sport” of forcing dogs to fight one another unto death.

Such stories are outrageous, enough to make one’s blood boil. There is a long, long way to go before such rampant animal abuse ends. However, there are many good omens and reasons to be hopeful.

To name just a few good developments:

  • As mentioned above, the adoption rate at the local humane society is excellent.
  • Lawmakers are paying attention, proposing laws to protect animals, including the possible banning of animals used in medical-research experiments, the shutting down and banning of puppy mills, improved treatment standards for animals raised for food, and more prosecutions of people involved in the selling of products derived from poached animals such as elephants, rhinos and tigers.
  • Ringling Brothers Circus has agreed to retire its elephant performers.
  • Several airlines, most recently Emirate Airlines, have decided they will not transport trophies (such as horns) killed by big-game hunters.

The best way to keep this hope for animals alive and growing is to get involved in any way possible: donate to the local humane society, volunteer, adopt a pet, become a member of animal-rights organizations like PETA or FARM, speak out among people you know against cruelty to animals, stay tuned to media reports regarding animals, write or meet with legislators to urge them to keep passing animal-friendly legislation.

Like abused children, animals cannot speak for themselves. That is why we must do it for them, again and again and forcefully. It we keep doing that, the hope – and the happy successes – will increase.

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Dennis Dalman

Dennis Dalman

Dalman was born and raised in South St. Cloud, graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School, then graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in English (emphasis on American and British literature) and mass communications (emphasis on print journalism). He studied in London, England for a year (1980-81) where he concentrated on British literature, political science, the history of Great Britain and wrote a book-length study of the British writer V.S. Naipaul. Dalman has been a reporter and weekly columnist for more than 30 years and worked for 16 of those years for the Alexandria Echo Press.

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