Pampered pets preferred over suffering poor
- Source: Global Times
- [21:30 March 11 2010]
- Comments
Illustration: Liu Rui
By Rong Xiaoqing
Increasing inequality in modern society isn't just restricted to the two-legged world. At the same time when the gap between the income of a hedge fund manager and most of the rest of the working population has widened, a similar thing has been happening in the animal world.
And it is enough to make anyone feel unbalanced.
China's plan to ban the eating of dog and cat meat provides the latest evidence. If passed, the stipulation, part of the draft of the animal cruelty law that may be introduced next month, impose*s a fine of as much as 5,000 yuan ($732.01) and up to 15 days prison time on people who illegally consume dog or cat meat.
Supporters hailed it as a sign of China's improved awareness of the value of life, be it human or animal. But there are other ways of looking at it.
If the feelings of animals are as sophisticated as humans (as many animal rights activists believe), the exemption for dogs and cats will be a huge blow to others.
Cows, horses and pigs also serve human needs in their own ways. And they may also enjoy the company of humans, but they don't have soft round eyes or wagging tails to solicit affection back.
In the human world, communicating and networking abilities sometimes relate to one's appearance, and lack of those skills may cause you one or two promotions.
But it is much crueler when we force our flawed logic into the animal's world and turn this into a life-and-death issue.
Unfortunately, it is a common rule these days that those higher on the food chain always have a greater say. This applies to both humans and animals.
The fact that the ban is pushed mainly by the burgeoning middle class in China is only another example. Those who are keen to eat healthy organic food set the moral standards.
And for those who are struggling at the bottom of the social ladder, well, sorry, but converting to vegetarianism may be a good way to reduce living costs anyway.
The Western hemisphere is where the idea of general animal protection originated. Legislation passed in 1822 by the UK Parliament to protect cattle, horses and sheep from cruelty is believed to have been the first in the world.
