– they’re just as vulnerable as humans; only they cannot speak, says animal rights activist

By Naomi Parris

DESPITE not being directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, animals across the country are still at its mercy, albeit indirectly, as undue worry about the disease has seemingly caused them to be abused and tormented even more by unkind souls.
And this is precisely what may have driven animal rights activist Donna Lam to call on the relevant authorities to reform the laws of Guyana to see the enforcement of stricter punishment on persons who inflict pain and emotional turmoil on animals.
Lam, who is also founder of the Rosewood Foundation, a volunteer-based animal welfare organisation that advocates for the protection of animals through education, rescue and care, told the Guyana Chronicle that since the onset of COVID-19 here, her group has seen a whopping increase in cases of cruelty to animals.

JUST AS BAD AS RACISM

“For too long, this has been the norm; we cannot move forward until we accept this,” Lam said, adding: “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong in the world. Speciesism (the notion that animals are inferior to humans without logical basis) is linked to other prejudices like racism.”
Lam also noted that animals should be treated with the same respect as human beings, since it is morally wrong and illegal for persons to inflict bodily harm or emotional turmoil on another being, human or otherwise. “If you disrespect animals, you’re more likely to disrespect other human beings,” Lam said, adding: “Many people justify this attitude that animals are inferior, by asserting that humans are ‘more intelligent’… We use animals’ lack of language to justify their mistreatment, but animals can communicate with one another in incredibly sophisticated ways. To deny them agency because they cannot reason with us is extraordinarily arrogant.”
She noted that while animals may not be able to speak for themselves, they are still deserving of rights like every other living organism.
“Even if you don’t think this makes us all equal, it means we are all deserving of respect and rights. So while animals do not need or want the same rights as people, they do require their own rights freedom from torture,” she said.

Just recently, Lam and her team rescued a stray cat that was severely burnt by someone, and they are now seeking assistance for the cat to receive treatment.
“This cat is a stray; someone threw hot water on her. Her four kittens died because she was in so much pain, she was unable to breastfeed them,” an incensed Lam said, adding: “We got her to town and to a vet to get medical help; she needs daily treatment for at least a month.”
Lam noted that in cases of extreme cruelty such as this, the police are notified about the incident, but precious little ever come of it, since most of the animals are strays.
She said there is very little support here in Guyana for animals’ rights.

“Animals are vulnerable because they are voiceless and denied agency in our society. I need the government to amend the animal cruelty laws in this country,” she said. We need higher fines.”