ANIMAL WELFARE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20875, 15 November 1929, Page 8

ANIMAL WELFARE.

The institution of Animal Welfare Week in this community was due to a humanitarian who set an admirable example in his regard for the interests of all dumb creatures. The movement is being carried on by various '■ societies which make the prevention of cruelty to animals their aim, and the present week has been selected in Otago for devotion to the special .purpose of bringing its objects before the people, especially the young people. The aims of those who carry on this crusade—for so, it may be called—in the interests of animals should have the support and sympathy, of all rightthinking people. .The lesson of kindness to animals cannot be too sedulously taught. He is. a strangely constituted individual who is not moved to pity by the sight of suffering on the part of dumb creatures — some of them man’s traditional friends and companions—and he is a poor type ‘ of citizen who feels no righteous wrath when confronted with the'spectacle of man’s own disregard for his responsibility towards animals , that arc dependent upon him for humane treatment and protection. Unfortunately there are in every community in--, dividuals who cannot be trusted to wield authority over animals without abusing it. With these, when their inhumanity is sheeted home, the law can deal, and the societies that exist for the prevention of cruelty do excellent work in bringing wrongdoers to book. But that represents only one aspect of their efforts. The great objective must be the fostering of a public opinion that is itself a guarantee against the practice of inhumanity. The appeal of Animal Welfare Week is wisely based largely on the belief that it is through education that the principles of kindness towards animals, and of consideration in the treatment of all dumb creatures, can be best instilled. Young people are often cruel through ignorance and thoughtlessness. But the pupil who has learned nothing else at school than the evil of the infliction of unnecessary pain upon the humblest of laying creatures has mastered a great and invaluable lesson.

There wag a clean sheet at -the City Police Court yesterday.