ANYTHING BUT FLOORING
Cruelty towards animals is something I can’t understand. They give us unconditional love, and we have a duty to protect them – Harry Tafota-Nash shares his feelings about animal cruelty.
CRUELTY to animals really annoys me. I just don’t understand how anyone can mistreat them. What really frustrates me are the people who get a dog or a cat for Christmas or a birthday and then, if a relationship splits, just get rid of the animal.
For me, my pets are part of my family. I love my animals as much as I love my child, and when a dog passes, it’s like losing a family member. I remember a robin flew into my grill the other week, and I was absolutely mortified. Moments like that stick with me because I care so deeply.
If someone I know is forced to part with a pet, perhaps because of rented accommodation or a difficult living situation, I try to find a way to keep the animal with them. I don’t know what the perfect solution is, but I do know it’s a moral issue. There are laws against animal cruelty, and that’s a start.
People can be prosecuted and even sent to jail for hurting an animal, but they still don’t have the same rights as a human being. That bothers me. I wish people spoke up more instead of hiding behind excuses. In my last role, I even gave staff a bereavement day if their dog passed away. I wouldn’t make them take annual leave because I knew exactly how distraught they’d be. I’ve always felt animals don’t do anything wrong; they only give love and affection. If they don’t, it’s usually because they’ve been mistreated and are scared.
My love for animals comes from my nan. She was a legend. Growing up, she looked after me a lot and had a deep love for animals herself. She had been part of a circus in Hungary and took care of horses, cats, and birds. We would feed the birds together, and she instilled in me a deep respect and affection for all living creatures. My parents wouldn’t let me have a dog as a child, only rabbits and guinea pigs, but the moment I left home, I got my first dog. I’ve had a dog ever since.
And regarding bullfighting, foxhunting, and other controversial practices: I understand why they exist in some contexts, but I couldn’t do it myself, and I think using animals for sport or entertainment should be banned entirely. I make an exception only when it’s necessary for medical reasons, disease prevention or some other justified purpose. Even then, it must be done responsibly and humanely.
I also believe anyone who intentionally harms an animal should face the same repercussions as if they harmed a human. If you love an animal as much as a child or family member, it follows naturally the punishment should match. I respect that the law doesn’t currently classify animals the same as humans, but I like that certain actions, like assaulting a police dog or a horse, can be prosecuted as assaulting a police officer because these animals are often classed as serving members of law enforcement in specific situations. That kind of recognition is important. It shows society acknowledges their value and ensures some level of protection for creatures that rely on us entirely.
I care so much because animals are pure. They give love unconditionally, and they rely on us to protect them. Losing one, even temporarily, is devastating, and I’ve seen firsthand how grief over a pet can hit as hard as losing a family member.
My pets are family, and I’d do everything in my power to ensure they’re treated with the love and respect they deserve. Every animal deserves that
Animal cruelty: vital statistics
Millions of animals suffer cruelty worldwide despite stronger protections
1. The RSPCA receives tens of thousands of cruelty complaints across England and Wales every year, highlighting how widespread animal abuse and neglect remain.
2. In the first six months of 2024 alone, there were 44,879 reports of suspected animal cruelty made to the RSPCA.
3. More than 5,300 of those reports involved animals being beaten or physically harmed by people.
4. The Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to animals.
5. Dog fighting, although illegal for nearly 200 years, still occurs across the UK.
6. Pet abandonment is rising sharply, with more than 22,000 cases reported recently in England.
7. Financial pressure and rising vet bills are major reasons owners abandon animals.
8. Across 2024, cruelty reports rose to over 105,000 cases in England and Wales.
9. Since 2021, the maximum prison sentence for serious animal cruelty in England and Wales is five years.
