Cuphandle

"I am still waiting (rather forlornly) for someone to "join in" and offer some sensible and constructive suggestions as to how we can curtail this neverending problem of "ANIMAL CRUELTY"

You must have missed the suggestion I offered on the 24/12, regarding pet ownership.

However, let's look beyond pets now and consider the bigger picture of man's brutality to other species and ask ourselves (the "superior" ones):

"Is there no mercy?":

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vCX7f_s1CA4

Why does this nation remain indifferent to man's sadistic dominion over animals?

I would at least expect all compassionate posters on this thread to commence lobbying our immoral Federal and State governments who, through their silence and cover-ups, endorse and promote cruelty to animals.

Those few citizens who do protest are treated with disdain. We need an on-going, concerted effort of thousands to achieve results.

The evidence is overwhelming. Are our people too cowardly and fearful of being labelled "extremists?" The "she'll be right, mate" attitude?

A brief letter for starters, expressing their disgust, is not much to ask, is it?

Sadly, I suspect this thread will soon be archived and man's heinous treatment of other species in this country and beyond, will continue to flourish!

If you could let us know exactly what you would like to hear, Cuphandle, then we might be able to help.

>>I am still waiting (rather forlornly) for someone to "join in" and offer some sensible and constructive suggestions as to how we can curtail this neverending problem of "ANIMAL CRUELTY" and I reiterate, as illustrated by the increasing dumping of unwanted and unloved pets that are discarded like a worn out shirts to satisfy the greedy whims of the selfish people out there in the community who think solely of "Me! Me! Me!"<<

You must have missed my suggestion that we should make the keeping of pets unlawful. Since the root cause of the cruelty is clearly that some people consider animals to be some form of lesser being, they quickly become fair game for exploitation. It is only a small step from thinking that you "own" a slave, to using that ownership as justification for beating it, or denying it freedom.

Clearly, this is too radical for you, but I can assure you that it will solve the problem. Anything less will continue the practice of pet ownership, and by definition continue the cruelty.

>>We are achieving nothing in this particular thread by arguing back and forth about trivialities concerning attitudes to the for`s and the against`s of pet ownership!.<<

I disagree. Far from being a triviality, the concept of pet ownership is a fundamental root cause of the problems you describe. I am pretty sure that a number of readers are already starting to re-think their hitherto laissez-faire attitude to the subject, which can only be a good thing.

I doubt they will admit to it just yet, having seen the vilification that comes with the territory. Nevertheless, continuing the discussion can only help others to see that, in the end, outlawing pet ownership is the only real answer.

So, many thanks for the pulpit.

"You must have missed my suggestion that we should make the keeping of pets unlawful. Since the root cause of the cruelty is clearly that some people consider animals to be some form of lesser being, they quickly become fair game for exploitation. It is only a small step from thinking that you "own" a slave, to using that ownership as justification for beating it, or denying it freedom."

That's fantastic Pericles. A ban on pet ownership. Of course that ban would also extend to banning the "fair game and exploitation" of factory farmed animals, where ownership is "justification for beating it or deying it freedom" would it not?

If you consider pet ownership to be cruel, then you must surely view the treatment of our factory farmed animals as an abomination?

Our governments do like to see this nation's livestock (sheep, cattle, camels, goats, deer) "enjoy" themselves. After the ocean voyage, our animals join in the Hajj festivals and the trek to Mecca where each year, many thousands of Australia's animals participate in the celebrations:

http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:sz0e41mclaMJ:sweetness-light.com/archive/the-eid-festival-around-the-world-graphic-photos+animal+torture+muslim+festivals&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=au&lr=lang_en

http://lawyersforanimals.org.au/2006/10/01/comments-on-version-2-of-the-australian-standards-for-the-export-of-livestock/

So what's your next recommendation, Pericles?

Perciles

Again I say to you I think Dickie is refering to the treatment of Australian farm animals.
What did you think of the above link she provided.?

Lets just say for for argument sake that all those on this thread agreed we should follow your advise and lobby for owning any pet to be banned.

Ok but what of farm Animals? Or the Industry that breeds for racing for example.
http://www.petrescue.com.au/information_library/rescue_news/rescue_in_the_media/481

They are not pets, so there for, would never be banned.

Or do you feel farm animals are unimportant because they are bred for humane consumption?

Hello? The thread's about pets, not farm animals.

Pericles raises some interesting and highly debatable points, but I don't think he's been talking at all about animals that are kept for the purpose of providing food for humans.

"Hello? The thread's about pets, not farm animals." CJ Morgan

Perhaps CJ you should pay attention and read what the author of this thread had to say:

"I remember quite clearly the fiasco of the Cannon Hill Saleyards (the deplorable conditions and cruelty that the "prisoners awaiting execution" were subjected to) and the final solution to that particular problem which resulted in the closing down of the Saleyards.

"It appears that we are very limited in the action that we can take to persuade the farmers, graziers and similar corporate members of the community that cruelty to animals is UNACCEPTABLE in any shape or form,..... but hang on!.....there is quid to be made out of it, so why should anyone really care!.......I think that there are some members of our community who would gladly sell their own children if they thought that there was a quid to be made out of it?"