Regulations to avoid animal abuse

Regulations to avoid animal abuse

        I remember the day I went to my mom’s work, a veterinary clinic, and a concerned business man and his beloved dog came in. It was a beautiful pregnant great dane that couldn’t give birth to her puppies; the only way to try to save them all was through a caesarea. When the veterinarian was removing all the babies that were inside the female uterus she noticed that one of the puppies was dead, maybe due to time that they were inside the mother. After the doctor completed the surgery there was nothing to do, besides wait. However time was against that beautiful dog’s life, and after a couple of hours she was dead. She was intoxicated by one of her kids that died by the incompetency of the owner. The owner let passed almost a week, after the dog started to show signs of giving birth, before taking her to the clinic. Unfortunately a marvelous great dane had to die before this “bussiness man” realizes that the risk of a breeding business wasn’t worth it.

        Dogs are distinguished and well-knowned for their loyalty, warmth and peculiaties characterisitic of each dog’s breed. That is why, throughout centuries, dogs have been considered human best friends and companions. However, real friends don’t abuse and they don’t hurt each other, not even for money. What kind of friends, caretakers or parents are those people that treat their dogs like puppies factories. It is considered cruel and morally unacceptable to take advantage of an animals that behave based in their instincts and aren’t aware of the consequences of their acts.

        Some people acquire pets to be part of their families. Many times they skipped the most important part, education. In order to be ready for this responsibility they should seek for information. A decision that pet’s owners should take is to spay or neuter at an early age their pets, this will minimize cancer possibility and in the case of the males will also minimize prostate problems giving the pets a longer and better lives. They should learn about the breed and their particularities so they will know if it is the right dog for them. But I believe the most important decision should be if it will be a pet or just an animal for reproduction.

        Roughly there are two types of pet breeders those who deeply care about their animals and those who don’t, and whose acts are cold. At the time of selling the animals, the first type will look for responsible homes that can take care of them. On the contrary, the second type will always search for the best deal. Usually the second type, of pet breeder, is not emotionally involved after selling or losing one of their dogs. What can we expect of these people whose behaviour is controlled by the profits? For sure we cannot expect a lot of compassion nor humanity from them. Even though, they have the right to breed dogs for sale. However their business should be regulated, restricted and forced to follow some rules in order to decrease animal exploitation.

        In Puerto Rico the law 154 look for the well being and protection of animals. Among the issues that states is the prohibition of selling animals in the streets, roads and public places. Though it does not restricts who can carry on the business of selling dogs or breeding dogs for sale. That is why many irresponsible and ignorant people make a lucrative business out of exploiting dogs. There should be a legislation that regulates the amount of animal reproduction that a dog can bear or the time between pregnancies, their life conditions, feeding and management.

        Many may agree with the establishment of severe regulations but others won’t because can be economically affected. For that reason through dialogue we must look for other, besides the mentioned before, equitative and satisfactory desicion that can benefit both groups and still protect animal’s well being. We must look after those whose company, love and protection are unconditional.