It is extremely sad and heartbreaking when we hear of service dogs and search & rescue dogs being euthanised.
Every animal is entitled to live out their natural lives, but service dogs, in particular, are heroes who have served humanity. They did not ask to be service dogs – it wasn’t their choice. But humans know that dogs are ever so obliging, faithful and trainable. So they make use of this noble attribute of the dog, “train” them and use them to serve humans’ many needs. And dogs, by virtue of who they are, will do their duty faithfully, loyally and ungrudgingly, which is far more than what we can say for humans themselves. You may not be able to trust a fellow human, but you can definitely trust a dog.
But the time will come when a dog grows old, is stricken with illness, terminal or otherwise, or outgrows their “usefulness” to the humans who trained them and used them for a purpose. And when this happens, what do these humans do? We often hear of service dogs being euthanised. And when no-kill shelters offer to take over these dogs to give them veterinary care and to let them live out their natural lives, their human owners refuse to surrender them. All kinds of reasons would be given and here’s one: These dogs have been trained to attack and kill on a one-word command, so they are a “danger” to civilians who may not know how to handle them. Hence, the “only” way is to have them euthanised.
Is it, really? Is there no other option?
Who trained the dogs to attack and kill on a one-word command in the first place? The humans who want to make use of them. This is so, so wrong on so many levels. Humans have no right to USE animals for their own ends. Just because dogs are naturally so obliging and obedient, humans make use of them and when they no longer serve their purpose, the same humans justify euthanasia for these ever-faithful animals.
Why can’t they opt for palliative care for these heroic dogs who have obediently and ungrudgingly served humanity? Why can’t they spend some time, energy and love to care for the very animals who have served them all their lives?
Unlike humans, animals do not want to die. They have a strong survival instinct. Why can’t their human owners respect this natural survival instinct and with so much knowledge and advancement in medicine which humans often boast about, give them the palliative care and love that they have so deservingly earned?
And in the first place, if humans have problems, for goodness’ sake, solve them yourself! Do not use animals for ANY reason, not even for the differently-abled or for SAR if they are going to eventually euthanise these poor service dogs. Animals are here for us to care for and to love. That is all. They are not here for us to USE.
There is an urgent need for humane education and more awareness about these wrongs.
Please, please consider palliative care of our noble friends who have given their lives to serve humanity.
And more importantly, please stop using animals for humans’ selfish needs.
Rest in peace, Blake and all heroes, past and present: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/09/20/social-media-users-pay-tribute-to-batang-kali-landslide-k9-hero-blake
Yes, we pay tribute to these great heroes, but more importantly, please find ways to do better by them. Please.