[Animal cruelty. Photo Credit to Pixabay]

On 5 July 2017, Sinogene, a Beijing-based biotech firm, cloned a beagle puppy named Longlong by using genetic manipulation. 

Longlong was genetically engineered to be atherosclerosis-prone and suffers from blood clotting disorders.

The dog is an experimental animal for stroke and heart disease studies. 

Although the research provides essential data on the treatment of the disease, it is a sheer violation of animal rights and welfare.

Experimental animals like Longlong are made to suffer, and thus many animal protection groups, especially PETA, strongly oppose these practices.

Animal abuse doesn't only include physical acts of harm but also hoarding , neglecting and leaving them in cars.

Even minor acts, such as lack of timely feeding and unhygienic shelter conditions, amount to cruelty.

Lack of any one of these severely affects their health and psychological well-being and lessens their life.

Furthermore, psychological impacts make them exhibit behavioral changes in the long run that will complicate their rehabilitation and rehousing. 

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), about 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters every year.

Although pets are meant to be the responsibility for owners, most of the animals are easily abandoned simply because they cannot speak for themselves.

It reflects a lack of responsibility and awareness towards animals, making them suffer unnecessarily. 

To overcome this problem, education relating to the lives and welfare of companion animals is necessary. 

During the 19th century, Europe, especially Britain, became increasingly interested in animal protection with a growing awareness and education about attitudes towards the vulnerable.

In 1822 Britain passed the world's first animal welfare law, the Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act, also called Martin's Act. 

This law imposed fines against cruelty to livestock such as horses, cattle, and sheep. 

Though the West pioneered animal protection laws compared to Eastern countries, proper enforcement took much time, indicating that awareness amongst society is also paramount apart from legislation. 

Awareness can be generated by introducing programs regarding animal protection and welfare in schools and communities among children and youngsters. 

These programs introduce the overview of animal rights and welfare to the students, hence, establishing proper relationships with animals. 

With different activities, students can get in direct contact with animals and participate in animal protection organizations for practical experience.

For instance, visiting animal shelters, volunteering, or doing projects on animals would make students understand animals' needs and emotions and shape their values. 

The approach could be through social media platforms, where one can share information on animal protection and do campaigns about animal abuse cases.

It channeled an online community into making a difference, raising awareness for more people about the cause of animal protection and spreading awareness regarding animal abuse. 

Although perceptions of people would not be changed overnight, such efforts, when repeatedly done, would add up and eventually push society toward a world recognizing animals with the same level of dignity and rights as humanity. 

This will require mass action on the part of people, communities, and organizations working specifically to build empathy towards other living organisms.

People must now strive to understand animals as equal to humans and make greater efforts to maintain a healthy coexistence with them.