“Image source: www.kvue.com”
By now, anyone reading this post is well aware that the Ebola virus has hit the United States. And, if you are a vegan or an animal lover, you are probably hoping for the best for Bentley (Nina Pham’s pup, the initial nurse infected with the Ebola virus).
I was really upset when I found out Nina Pham had a dog. Not because she had a dog, but because of what I know happened to Excalibur in Spain. Excalibur was the pup of Teresa Romero, the hospital worker who contracted the Ebola virus in Spain. Despite pleas from Romero’s husband, and an online petition signed by over 400,000 people urging the Spanish Government not to euthanize Excalibur (but to quarantine him instead), Excalibur was euthanized. I feared the worst for Bentley.
It’s typical speciesism at its finest. Wikipedia describes that speciesism “Involves the assignment of different values, rights, or special consideration to individuals solely on the basis of their species membership.”
“The term is not used consistently, but broadly embraces two ideas. It usually refers to ‘human speciesism’ (human supremacism) the exclusion of all nonhuman animals from the protections afforded to humans.” That last sentence says it all… “the exclusion of all nonhuman animals from the protections afforded to humans.” I’m sorry…but I haven’t seen any family members, friends, or significant others of the Ebola victims being euthanized!
Just for a second, can you imagine: you are a healthcare worker who contracts Ebola. You have a young daughter that lives at home with you. The government obtains a court order, removes your daughter from your home and kills her. Sound ridiculous?Of course, it would never happen. BUT, it happened to poor Excalibur…because animals in this world have very little rights, if any. And now it seems like the guardians of companion animals have very little rights. A typical shoot first and ask questions later response by the Spanish government.
There is still a lot to learn about Ebola, as well as its relation to companion animals. The Center for Disease Control’s website states, “At this time, there have been no reports of dogs or cats becoming sick with Ebola or of being able to spread Ebola to people or other animals. Even in areas in Africa where Ebola is present, there have been no reports of dogs and cats becoming sick with Ebola. There is limited evidence that dogs become infected with Ebola virus, but there is no evidence that they develop disease.”
I’m so happy to see that Dallas Animal Services and their management team have stepped up to coordinate Bentley’s care, and that he is being quarantined at an undisclosed location. I’m glad that Bentley is being given a chance, just like any human being would be given, if in the same situation.
I am one of many that will be supporting Bentley with a donation. Dallas Animal Services has partnered with Dallas PETS (Pet Emergency Transition Services) to establish a fund for Bentley and other companion animals in emergency situations. Please consider donating.
Go Bentley, we are all rooting for you and your mom. And rest in peace Excalibur, you touched so many.
Image source: www.kvue.com
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