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Cattle thieves get away with murder
View(s):By Kasun Warakapitiya
Several instances of horrifying acts of animal cruelty, especially directedagainst cattle, have come to light recently.
In Monnankulama at Galgamuwa, 11 cows including five pregnant animals had been slaughtered. This was the third such horror reported.
The owners of the cattle that had been slaughtered claimed that although the police had investigated the earlier cases, the suspects had not been arrested.
However, the Galgamuwa Police OIC, H N C P Herath, claimed that only six cows had been killed. He added that inquiries are continuing.
The Jaffna police told the Sunday Times they arrested two people and seized a lorry carrying 1,800 kilograms of beef from Kilinochchi to Puttalam last Saturday following a tip off. The suspects were produced before the Kilinochchi Magistrate.
On Vesak Day, it was reported that a calf tied up in a field had been chopped up. Residents of the area had captured the suspect and handed him over to the police. Lawyer and Animal Rights activist, Lalani Perera, said there are indications that humans have become more cruel, barbaric and uncivilised with regard to treatment of animals. She said humans forget that animals too feel pain.
“Any person who inflicts pain on an animal can be produced in court, but the police have to strongly implement the law,” she said.
Ms. Perera said that the fines for animal cruelty are small. The Animal Welfare bill should be passed and implemented.
Activist of the Animal Welfare Trust, Irangani de Silva, said cattle suffer and die when they are being transported. The owners are fined but the animals are then returned to them.