We have a duty to animals

I have read the story “14-yearold girl drowns after trying to save a dog in Edmonton,” published in The Guardian on July 24. I felt extremely sorrowful after reading this news, and I was deeply moved by the girl’s bravery of rescuing the trapped dog.

There is also a lovely and cute dog in my family and we have lived together for approximately a decade. Although I have left her for approximately 18 months, and this may continue for the following few years because I am studying abroad, I naturally cannot help missing her every time I encounter pets.

It was greatly warm-hearted of the teenager to rescue the dog. If everyone performs as heroically as this adolescent, there will be less extinction of species.

The manufacturer of the wellknown outerwear jacket Canada Goose, however, annually hunts a large number of animals living in frigid areas. Their furs are cruelly and bloodily peeled and then transported to factories to be processed, just for the purpose of keeping heat in winter. The dealers focus mainly on the pursuit of maximum benefits, not taking into consideration the environment and the feelings of others.

It is common knowledge that human beings cannot live without the accompaniment of other creatures, such as animals, plants, or microorganisms, all of which share and enjoy the same Earth.

Since this is the case, why should humans monopolize resources, leaving only a tiny portion to others? Humans can benefit in the short term, while in the long run this will be destructive. Governments should figure out feasible strategies to boycott the hunting of endangered species of animals.

Ben Wang,

UPEI Student