Video: British animal holocaust: before the war, the British euthanized more than 750 thousand pets
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
Evacuating children, darkening windows and killing cats - this is how Great Britain prepared for World War II. In 1939, the government called for getting rid of pets so as not to condemn these unfortunate creatures to torture. The British responded to the call, and in the first week alone they put to sleep more than 750 thousand pets. A monument in Hyde Park with animal bas-reliefs and the inscription: "They had no choice" reminds of the terrible tragedy today.
The mass murder of pets by the British in history has already been called the Holocaust. In 1939, the British government created the National Animal Precautions Committee, which was tasked with promoting how pet owners should behave. Concern was caused by the situation in which, with a reduction in food supply, the British would begin to give part of their rations to domestic cats and dogs. In the Committee's brochure, which was actively replicated, it was strongly recommended that all the pets be sent to the village, and those who did not have such an opportunity should go to the veterinary clinic in order to put them to sleep.
The British sincerely wanted to save their cats and dogs from suffering, so they immediately went to the veterinarians. It was scary to part with the animals, so some dog breeders tried to attach their pets to the army. It is interesting that by 1942 there were 6 thousand four-footed ones in the service. However, for the most part, the government program was merciless: everyone was exterminated.
Public activists stood up for the animals. Through the efforts of the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home organizations, 145 thousand dogs were rescued during the war years.
Hysteria around animals was whipped up: after the first bombing, there were even more people who wanted to put a cat or dog to sleep. Even the zoo suffered: all the inhabitants were destroyed there. Having a pet during the war years was considered an impermissible luxury.
Today, a memorial has been erected in London to commemorate the British Animal Holocaust. According to the commemorative inscription, it is dedicated to the memory of all animals who served and died along with the British and allied forces during the war and military campaigns in different years. Below are the words - a reproach to all Humanity, which could not save or protect our smaller brothers from the war: "They had no choice."
Animals in war often helped people. Many of them have become real heroes. In our review "Tailed Heroes" collected the most interesting stories about the exploits of the canary, sea boar, camel cavalry and many others!
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