Animal abuse, mysteries
Cruelty to animals
THE recent case involving the wilful actions of cruelty to a dog by its owner brings to the fore the relevance and effectiveness of the existing provisions in the relevant legislation in Fiji on cruelty to animal.
From what we have been hearing, the penalty provisions in this piece of legislation has not been updated since it came into force decades ago. I am saying this because a fine of up to $100 or a maximum prison term of six months would be applicable, if a person is found guilty for ill-treatment of an animal.
In my humble opinion this penalty provision has not really kept pace with the changed socio-economic circumstances that exists today. Neither is the quantum commensurate with the penalty provisions in our other legislation.
The current case, being of great public interest at the moment, may just create the necessary impetus to update this penalty provision, as well review the whole Act, so as to align it to the realities in today’s world. EDWARD BLAKELOCK
Admiral Circle, Pacific Harbour.
A season to reason
THIS is proving to be the season to reason. Reason to resign. Personal, other interests and mysterious.
Speaking of mysteries, there are some blockbuster mysteries which have hit the headlines. The Nausori Highlands murder has seen progress. The case of American holidaying couple, David and Michelle Paul, hangs in the balance. It is just like the case of Russian couple Yuri Shipulin and Nataliya Gerasimova.
These sorts of events become hot news. Actually, news items appear daily. They vary in temperature and complexity. Human nature is such that people talk about them.
Some less, some moderate. Some just make unnecessary noise. What about that group which is confined to the events at the workplace? Some events and reasons send people into temporary coma.
The hotter ones last longer in our conversations and memories. Currently, it is the Australian bushfires. Not long ago, Amazon captured our attention. I guess storytelling is part of us and so is reasoning. It depends on the initial heat which fluctuates and cools off.
Whatever said and done, something doesn’t miss out. Rising cost of living. This melts our pockets. Back to where I started. Reasons.
Last week we learnt that rise in food prices is the fault of farmers and not the Government. You see, these farmers are everyday people like us. They did not arrive by unidentified flying objects. They have similar physical features. I am not lying about this.
They use electricity too. Most recently, a rise in electricity tariff was approved. Naturally, we will end up paying more. Including farmers.
Believe me, they have children also who go to school. Do we have trees where school items grow? Same applies to other things like medicine and transportation.
Prices have been rising and rising. Do farmers have any option? Do they go to their employers and negotiate a rise in pay? No, they can only increase produce price. If people continue to sell salala at its old price, their pockets would transit from salala to basuka.
That $150 goat has become an overnight star. Most searched Google item. I hear wheelbarrows are out for a bargain. One gentleman has practised a war dance (with full attire) to impress sellers.
The professor has proposed to buy 10 goats at any price for Dr Reddy with conditions. That would not eventuate by a long shot. Well, since we do not have reindeers, what about something for Santa Claus this Christmas?
These farmers who have made a career by feeding others are smart people. Are they applying the formal taxation concept?
While we continue with storytelling and await the next big one (hopefully nothing about America and Iran), whatever tales there are, one will remain kalavata for all, rising cost of living.
As people are genuinely trying to move beyond daily struggles, this is no kailavata issue.
MOHAMMED IMRAZ JANIF Natabua, Lautoka