Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight program. I’m Liz Waid
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And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand no matter where in the world they live.
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In 2007, Margaret Ann Gordon went to walk her dog. She was living in Bulgaria. As she was walking, a group of seven or eight dogs ran towards her. No one owned these dogs. They lived on the city streets where Margaret lived. They were wild street dogs.
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The dogs attacked Margaret. They started to bite her. People nearby heard Margaret shouting and came to help. But it was too late. Doctors could not help Margaret. The dogs had bit her legs down to the bone. Margaret bled to death from her wounds.
Voice 1
Like many countries, Bulgaria has a problem with wild dogs. There are around thirty five thousand [35,000] street dogs living in the capital city of Sofia. But Bulgaria is not the only country that struggles with the problems of street animals. Today’s Spotlight is on street animals, and how people are caring for them.
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Do you own a pet? Maybe you have a dog. Maybe you have a cat. You probably know someone who owns an animal. Studies say that there are about six hundred million [600,000,000] dogs and cats in the world. But eighty [80] percent of those animals do not have homes. This is a serious problem.
Voice 1
Some people argue that cats and dogs were wild in the past - they are simply returning to a natural state. But this is not true. These pets have lived with humans for many generations. They are not able to live successfully and healthily in the wild. Cats and dogs need homes. They need to be fed regularly. They need the care of a good owner. Without that care, they become problems in their communities.
Voice 2
People have owned animals since ancient times. Experts say people kept animals for three reasons. First, people kept animals as a job. They raised the animals to eat. Or people sold the animals to someone else for money. Second, people kept animals to help with work. Animals such as horses, cows, and camels helped people carry heavy loads. People used these animals for transportation. The animals also helped with farming tasks.
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Third, people owned animals as companions. People enjoyed spending time with these animals. Animals like dogs and cats are companion animals. They are like friends to humans. People still own animals for all these reasons today.
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Companion animals are also called pets. Owning a pet requires responsibility. A person must care for the animal. He must feed it, and make sure it is healthy. But too often people stop caring for their animals. They may not have enough money to care for their pet. Or they may decide that the pet is too much work. They let the animals run free and find their own food. These animals often become street animals.
Voice 1
But pets do not live good lives on the streets. Often, it is difficult for the animal to find food. The animals do not receive care if they become sick. The animals may also mate often with other animals. This creates more homeless, wild animals.
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Street animals suffer from a number of problems. They may starve. They may suffer from disease. The animals face danger from humans also. Cars often hit street animals on roads. These problems make the animals aggressive and angry. They are not friendly. They can carry diseases that threaten public health. And they can attack people and other animals.
Voice 1
But what can people do when there are too many street animals? Often, governments try to get rid of the animals. They usually do this by killing the animals. But this does not prevent the problem. And often, this does not successfully reduce the number of street animals.
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So are there ways to prevent the problem of street animals? Well, several international groups are working to stop the problem. The World Society for the Protection of Animals, or the WSPA, has several programs to solve the problem of street animals.
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The WSPA works with many local groups. In India and Nepal they are working to reduce the street animal population. They prevent street animals from having babies. They are also working to protect dogs and humans against the rabies disease.
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The WSPA also provides equipment and training to animal control groups in Zanzibar, Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, and the Middle East. They help local groups protect and control street animals.
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In North America and Europe the main methods of animal control are through government programs, animal medical services, and education. These methods are often very effective in these communities. But these methods do not work everywhere, especially in areas with more serious street animal problems. So groups must develop other methods.
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Humane Society International, or HSI, is working on developing new methods. HSI is working to encourage people to care for their own animals. They want to educate people about the problems street animals face. The group is also working with the World Health Organization to create animal control programs.
Voice 1
The WSPA and HSI are doing great work all over the world. They are helping to care for animals. They want animals to live healthy, happy lives. But animals need care from all people, not just big groups like these. Animal care is the responsibility of pet owners everywhere. Here are some things that you can do to make sure that animals get correct care
Voice 2
If you own an animal, there are things you can do to stop the problem of street animals. The most important thing is to get your pet spayed or neutered. This simple medical treatment makes animals unable to have babies. This keeps the animal population under control. Doing this helps animals live longer, healthier lives. It decreases the risk of diseases like cancer in the animal.
Voice 1
But spaying or neutering is also good for you as an animal owner. It prevents animals from marking things in your home with their waste. It also makes them less likely to leave your home and get into fights. Spayed or neutered animals are also more friendly.
Voice 2
People should also care for their animal’s medical needs. Animals need vaccinations from doctors to prevent diseases like rabies. This is part of the responsibility of owning an animal. If you own an animal and can no longer care for it, do not just let it run free. There may be a place where you can bring your animal so it can find a new home. Taking care of animals correctly means a better life for the animal, the person and the community.
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