By Jay Gutteridge
On the first night of bombing in Baghdad, a television journalist described a scene in the now war-torn city. He said the streets were empty and eerily calm, save a lone dog wandering down the middle of a road.
While the war in Iraq continues to kill and wound people, destroy their property, and cause widespread fear, those who bring aid to the region must not forget the less visible victims.
Certainly the human casualties should be the first priority, but thousands of animals throughout Iraq are being killed and wounded in what, for them, must be an incredibly confusing time.
Humanitarian workers in Iraq must spare some time to help those who are perhaps most vulnerable of all.
In spite of its dry climate, Iraq is home to a wide array of animals.
From domesticated dogs to cattle to wild jackals and gazelles, the animals of Iraq should be considered before any large military campaigns are executed.
Tony Banks, an MP in British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Labour Party, recently brought this point forward.
He reminded his colleagues of the animals in Baghdad’s El-Zawra zoo and how they could be deeply frightened by the explosions.
He urged military veterinarians to come to the aid of animals in Iraq. At least one other MP, a Tory, supports him on this matter.
The 1991 Gulf War is a grim reference point for what could happen in Iraq during this conflict.
Iraqi soldiers apparently slaughtered and possibly tortured animals in the Kuwait zoo. Only 28 of 440 or more animals in the zoo were left alive, according to an article by John Loretz in the Physicians for Social Responsibility Quarterly in 1991.
Thick smoke from oil fires coated birds or caused them to suffocate during the Gulf War. Charred camel carcasses were also found around the wells, though it is not known how they were burned.
Mines are also a concern. They don’t discriminate between soldiers and animals.
A chemical attack would likely be the worst thing to happen to any inhabitants of Iraq, but especially the animals. Gasmasks and protective body suits for dogs are not exactly readily available.
There have been reports of wandering camels occasionally slowing the progress of coalition troops. Hopefully these troops will exercise patience and respect the animals’ rights.
In times of war, animal casualties are to be expected, but the “coalition of the willing” must try to ensure they are minimized. Aid workers should then make efforts to heal suffering animals or, if no other options are available, euthanize them.
War is a terrifying and bewildering occurrence for all involved. Just think what it must be like for the animals trapped in the middle, even more confused than the humans.