Inhuman cruelty

Two shocking incidents of animal abuse recently occurred where a camel’s leg was brutally amputated and a donkey’s ears were severed, leaving us in a state of shock and remorse. This senseless violence against innocent animals reveals our capacity for cruelty and serves as a wake-up call to reexamine our values and treat all living beings with kindness and compassion. In the past, rural Pakistan, particularly Sindh and Punjab, had a unique practice called ‘dhak’.

If an animal strayed into someone else’s fields, the farmer would tie it to a tree or post in a public area as a warning to the owner. The owner would then pay a fine or compensate for the damage. This practice protected crops and fields from stray animals and encouraged owners to be more mindful of their animals’ whereabouts. Can’t we revive this practical and effective practice of ‘dhak’ instead of resorting to cruel acts?

Azeem Hakro

Umerkot