Pet dogs abandoned by owners end up in streets
Published: Mar 18, 2010 01:31 Updated: Mar 18, 2010 01:32
JEDDAH: It has become something of a fashion statement among young Saudis, especially wealthier ones, to own a dog even though it goes against local cultural norms.
The regular sight of dogs in the back of flashy cars as they drive down the affluent streets of Jeddah and Riyadh on a Wednesday or Thursday evening is testament to this change in attitudes.
Unfortunately it can also be a thoughtless fashion statement. There is increasing evidence that dog owners have little understanding of the responsibility and care a pet needs. After all, living creatures are not the same as accessories.
Else Boggary, who has been living in the Kingdom since 1965, says that over the years she has consistently found abandoned pets that have been mistreated.
“Many owners buy small puppies but when they grow out of them the animals are abandoned,” she told Arab News.
“Once I found a dog who had been abandoned with a collar-like thing around his neck. The dog had survived on scraps and as it grew the collar had tightened until it started choking him.
“A Saudi friend of mine rescued a dog who had been left tied to a pole without food or water.”
Boggary, an ardent animal lover, says children who are not educated by their parents about animals do not understand that they are not toys and can feel pain.
“The sad thing is that many parents themselves are not educated about animal rights, even though Islam teaches them to be kind to animals and not torture them,” she said.
“There was this woman whose grandchild broke a cat’s hind legs in front of her and she was laughing.
“Stray dogs suffer a lot and often don’t get food. I found hungry dogs near a mall who I send food for everyday. I’m worried how they will get food when I go abroad.”
Pet owners should be very careful whom they leave their pets with when traveling.
“Once I went abroad and left my dog with the cook. He overfed the dog and it had gone blind when I returned,” Boggary said.
Dr. Daisy Trilk of the Jeddah-based European Veterinary Clinic says that very often young people come to her with pets that they purchased without thinking about the responsibility.
“I am not surprised anymore when a young person comes to me to give up his dog for sale or adoption because their parents or other family members don’t like having the animal around. This should have been made clear before taking that puppy,” she told Arab News.
“In most of these cases these turn out to be young adolescent dogs, apparently accepted when they were still young and cute playful puppies. As a clinic we cannot take in all those rejected pets, we would be bursting if we did.”
Trilk said the clinic would contact people interested in adopting one of the animals. If this is not successful, she said it was likely that the dog ends up on the streets, as there are no organized shelters in Jeddah.
Trilk says that there are many things to consider when buying a pet, such as the fact that they do grow up and need training. They also need space and frequent walks, especially dogs. Cats and dogs can live as long as 20 years. Veterinary fees are also expensive.
“Consider the fact that dogs bark, especially when they feel lonely. Consider the fact that dogs become aggressive when lonely. Consider the fact that dogs are very loyal and depend on you 100 percent for food, shelter and safety.”
Trilk gives the example of Kitchee, a young German shepherd.
“Kitchee was found about seven months ago with severely damaged hind legs. Nobody knows what happened to her, but most likely her legs were broken at a very young age, either by accident or on purpose,” she said.
“Kitchee was dragged from one place to the other and of course nobody wanted her. The amazing thing about this young German shepherd is her ability to control her fears and let the trust back in. Her character saved her.”
Kitchee now lives in Dubai after a small group of people found a home for her. “Unfortunately we couldn’t offer her that here in Saudi Arabia. Some people consider a disabled dog as a bad sign, that it’s a dog that should be rejected because it will bring bad luck. To me she is a symbol of strength and survival,” Trilk added.
“For the authorities, stray dogs are pests and treated that way. Pest control is used to control their population.”
She added that stray dogs suffer most from malnutrition, disease, abuse and starvation when they are dumped in the desert.
Dogs can fall sick as a result of parasites, including worms, mites and fungus.
They can also contract diseases due to unsuitable housing or if they are not vaccinated properly.
“Dogs are social animals. Placing them in an apartment for most of the day is asking for trouble,” Trilk said.
“They get lonely and stressed, resulting in continuous barking and aggressive behavior. Even if the dog has a yard to play in, he will still need social interaction to feel happy. Keep in mind
that an unhappy dog is dangerous.”
She added that dogs also need a clean environment, air-conditioning in a hot climate, while grooming for some breeds is essential.
Trilk also believes that parents should teach their children to be kind to animals. “Children are a reflection of their parents. Education starts at home.”
Comments
AISHA C.
Mar 18, 2010 14:59
Report abuseSANDRA
Mar 18, 2010 14:59
Report abuseABDUL RAHMAN
Mar 18, 2010 15:03
Report abuseLack of empathy for animals is coupled with lack of empathy for vulnerable people, such as menial foreign workers. It is enough to visit the accommodations of shop keepers, drivers and maids, to realize that the teaching and implementation of some areas of Islam are seriously flawed in this country.
M. SALEEM RAIKODI
Mar 18, 2010 16:12
Report abuseTRAE
Mar 18, 2010 16:13
Report abuse