While we sat disillusioned thinking the case of Bousbous, the microwaved cat, and that of Brad the friendly pup shot at close range, were the highlight of the year in terms of animal abuse, the harsh realization came today with a new crime that reveals an ugly truth regarding the status of mental health (or lack thereof) of the country.
And yes, while many may dismiss animal cruelty as trivial, it is important that we point out from the start the fact that animal abuse in Lebanon is a key indicator of something far more dangerous echoing within the structures of the walls that hold what we call civilization together.
A very graphic and heartbreaking photo posted by Beta (Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) this morning on their Facebook page went viral. The photo depicts a severely, and we mean severely, injured dog tilting its head in pain towards a wall. Her black fur drenched in blood that had seeped from her body as a result of what must have been an excruciating injury.
(Photo Credit : Beta)
And excruciating it was, as we learned from Beta following contacts in pursuit of the details behind the gruesome image.
They say, a member, active volunteer and animal lover was feeding stray cats in the area of Bechara el Khoury at around 6pm on Thursday, when he heard numerous gunshots. The volunteer rushed to the scene and witnessed horror as the owner of a coffee shop ruthlessly shot Romy, a friendly dog cared for by another animal lover in the area, multiple times.
The volunteer called fellow Beta member for assistance and tried to approach the dog to remove her from harm’s way when he was confronted by the shooter who proceeded to verbally attack and threaten the volunteers. “I want to watch as it dies in pain,” were his exact words.
Once assistance came through, the dog was carried to safety almost by force.
Romy now suffers from multiple gunshot wounds and underwent surgery as one bullet perforated her lung and caused severe internal bleeding. She is now in critical condition and needs your prayers.
You may also contribute to her treatment and to the treatment of countless victims of cruelty by following this link
Romy’s case is not the first and will certainly not be the last as long as our streets are filled with men who shamelessly parade a weapon with a side of unparalleled ego. Men who show no remorse or compassion to human beings, let alone other living creatures. Men who are congratulated for such behavior as opposed to being punished.
But the question that begs to be asked is where does this sense of superiority come from when clearly humans have never amounted to anything more than being a nuisance to this planet?
Parasites feeding on the limited resources of our world, living unconsciously and unaware of the implications of our actions. We have killed, mutilated and destroyed our habitat. We've enslaved and tortured other species and we still walk around with a supreme sense of entitlement as the self-proclaimed owners of this world. Shame on us….
I will not even begin to question why people are allowed to carry and shoot weapons nor why incidents like these are never in the spotlight. So moving on.
Romy’s incident showed how a volunteer was verbally attacked and forced to watch a creature being tortured to death by an armed civilian, armed in broad daylight on the streets of Beirut.
This is not the first time volunteers are attacked and threatened. Allow us to remind those people what exactly a volunteer is:
He/she is an individual who undertakes a task aiming to promote goodness and improve the quality of life. A volunteer is a human being who cleans up OUR mess and does the things we’re either too lazy or too unconscious to do. So protect your volunteers’ people! They are the much needed pillars of this society.
One final thought. When the microwaved cat incident came up, we posted an article to highlight the psychological and criminal implications of animal abuse. These articles mostly go unnoticed because people have been conditioned into reading gossip, having an interest in useless programs as opposed to enlightening themselves, as inconvenient as that may be. So here goes a gentle reminder.
What does animal abuse say about the Lebanese society?
As sad as it may sound, animal welfare associations highlight, on a daily basis, thousands of animal abuse cases. From cats being tortured to death, puppies being starved and thrown away from cars even wild animals being captured and skinned alive.
A number of studies, including a 2001-2004 study by the Chicago Police Department, reveal a “startling propensity for offenders charged with crimes against animals to commit other violent offenses toward human victims.”
Pet abuse is also one of four indicators of possible domestic violence.
Unfortunately, most of the school crimes and shootings in the United States have been linked to animal abuse. 15 year old Kipland P. Kinkel who shot more than 22 schoolmates and teachers had a history of animal abuse.
Such appears the case with the recent Oregon tragedy, following incidents in Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas (twice), Pennsylvania and Tennessee making animal abuse one of the key symptoms of criminal behavior.
In the light of scientific studies and the animal abuse phenomenon in Lebanon, we cannot help but worry and wonder what kind of deviance we may be harboring within a society that refuses to acknowledge its own corruption.
Elise Bou Malham.