Pet Pals is a weekly column that appears on Wednesdays
Training shouldn’t be torture
Animal welfare groups often receive complaints from concerned citizens who say their neighbours’ dogs are being beaten or kicked repeatedly in the name of training. Trainers, who are often hired through an agency, claim that abuse is the only way to discipline a companion animal. On the contrary, training must always be carried out by the family of the dog in order to build a relationship of trust and understanding. Nirupa Rao, Blue Cross volunteer and animal behaviour consultant, says: “This is known as training using positive methods. Reward-based training shows dogs what we want them to do, which is more effective than punishing dogs for what we don’t want them to do. Train without pain and you will have a well-adjusted companion animal that looks forward to being with you”. Points to remember: Never hire a third person to do the job. Even if they promise to use reward-based methods, don’t let them take your pet out of sight — they might subject the animal to cruelty. If you see a dog being tortured, report it to the owner. If the owner is not responsive, report the matter to the SPCA (25611628 or contactus@madrasspca.org). Let the trainer / owners know that animal cruelty is punishable by law. Quote the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960. Google the Act to get the pdf version and keep the document handy. For resources on reward-based training, visit www.dogstardaily.com (click on training textbook) or www.aspcabehavior.org.
‘Thou shalt not kill’ does not apply to murder of one’s own kind only, but to all living beings
Leo Tolstoy
When a man has pity on all living creatures, then only, is he noble Gautama Buddha
Hero of the week
Padma nominates Usha Shyam, who takes care of street dogs, gets them vaccinated and sterilised. Usha also treats injured dogs. “She is rewarded for her acts of kindness by the welcome she gets at her doorstep by her dogs,” says Padma.
Know of a hero who has performed of an act of kindness to animals? Write to metropetpassion@gmail.com
