Pets are family

Animals are like human beings. The only difference between a human being and a well tamed pet is that the former can speak and the latter cannot. Both are the creation of God and both need love and affection. I really don’t know what kind of pets people have at home but I have witnessed pets being treated so special, like a member of the family, and these pets also act and behave like a loved child.

Let us start with the core definition of what a pet is. Wikipedia defines it as, "an animal kept primarily for a person’s company or protection, as opposed to working animals, livestock and laboratory animals.” If your animal doesn’t fit the description then it isn’t a pet but rather an animal you are depriving of wildlife; it doesn’t matter if it’s a dog or cat, but anything that does not fit that description is not a pet.

If that animal is meant to give someone company then why should it be restricted from open parks and spaces, it kills the cause of having a pet. People have well trained pets that are actually more behaved than some humans.

Gone are the days when pets were supposed to accompany man to go hunting; now they have evolved and have even saved lives. Over the last decade a new kind of service animal has emerged. Seizure alert dogs warn people with epilepsy of an oncoming attack minutes—sometimes hours—before it occurs. This allows the person time to take seizure blocking medication, get to a safe place, or call for assistance. If you get to think about it, this dog is more useful than couples sitting and romancing in an open space so why not let it in?

Professionally trained animals, such as guide dogs for the blind, offer obvious benefits to humans. A recent study also shows that an average domestic pet, such as a dog, cat—even a goldfish—can also provide many therapeutic and health benefits.

I have seen the most lonely people get excited when they get home and find their pet waiting for them at the door. This person finds comfort in the company of their pet and what others use is an open space if it can’t give someone the comfort they need?

Pets are more good than bad, but in good spirit, it is wise to encourage people to train their pets and discipline them properly. They need to conduct themselves well while in public.

I would say pets should be treated like family members and they should be given proper food, clothing and the will to enjoy the company of their family members, wherever!

patrick.buchana@newtimes.co.rw

We need to be considerate

Growing up, we had a dog and a cat, but in most cases, the dog was locked up in a kennel and was only released at night or when it was going to be fed. I grew up thinking that the reason it was kept in the kennel was because of its tendencies to jump on visitors and even attack them sometimes.

There is a reason why pet lovers came up with the idea of a leash for pets. I don’t want to get on the bad side of the animal rights groups but let’s be realistic; not everyone has been exposed to living with animals. So if you walked into a restaurant with a dog, some people will want to run out.

This debate about restriction of pets in public is to protect people who are frightened of pets like dogs, especially if they are not on a leash.

I go to open bars and restaurants in Kigali and when my food is brought to the table, before I know it, a cat is under the table waiting to have a share of my food. I really want to believe that they are just stray cats, but l think that they were someone’s pet at some point and were abandoned.

If these pets where not harmful, we would not be here advocating for their restriction in public places. But it’s not fair at all for anyone who is seated in a public place enjoying a meal or relaxing to be attacked by an animal; in most cases dangerous dogs. And after the attack, the person will undergo treatment which is equivalent to 60 plus injections so as not to contract rabies.

Pets must be controlled by the owners and if they know they have strange tendencies, they should not bring them to public places.

People’s health is another reason why there should be restriction of pets in public places. There are people who are allergic to some of these animals that without careful measures, the person could easily die.

I once boarded a plane with a cat on board (in the cabin area) and it’s something I do not want anyone to experience. It was a 9-hour flight with one stop. The owner of the cat had kept it in a bag under the chair. When I saw that, I wondered what would happen to anyone who was allergic to cats and was on board. Luckily there was no one. But it’s the constant noises that the cat made throughout the journey that became a problem. Even a cat lover would definitely advocate for its dismissal off the plane. Let’s try to be considerate of others.

doreen.umutesi@newtimes.co.rw