The Simba/Baby Maleek tragedy is shocking and mortifying on every level. Animals Alive extends its heartfelt sympathies to the grieving family. As an Animal Welfare Organisation we are also deeply concerned about the precipitating factors that caused these events and the salient outcomes that must guide us to become a more civil society where such incidents are minimised or even avoided.
Animal neglect is an overriding contributing factor here. From pictures, press information and social media commentary, one can conclude that Simba was abused. He looked malnourished and his backyard looked unkempt, so we can conclude also, there was tick/flea infestation. He was under-socialised and involved in dog fights, may have been not neutered and definitely under-loved.
He was probably chained for long periods too. Abused animals will have primal responses to neglect and abuse. It is long overdue that we formulate and pass legislation to protect animals and to promote animal welfare. In so doing we would also be protecting humans too.
We must establish law enforcement agencies with preceptive powers to protect pets and animals. Animal abuse is far too rampant and pet ownership is largely unregulated in this country. Education programmes on pet ownership must be entrenched in the public if society is to be enlightened and change their practices. We critically need to do better for us humans and the animals.
Kathryn Cleghorn,
President, Animals Alive