Since the beginning of autumn, we have been hearing reports every day about the extermination of dogs on the streets of our cities: they are dying from poisonous bait scattered by dog hunters. Psychologist Sergei Enikolopov is sure that such an outbreak of cruelty is a symptom of a very high level of aggression in society.
Psychologies : The actions of dog hunters shock many. Who are the dog hunters?
Sergey Enikolopov : Ordinary townspeople. Some do not want to put up with packs of stray dogs, from which they themselves or their loved ones have suffered. Others are intimidated by pet dogs walking without a muzzle and leash, and annoyed by owners who do not clean up after their pets in parks. And they say that their goal is a comfortable, safe city. They are joined by mentally unhealthy people who find an excuse in the doghunters’ ideology to transgress moral norms, in this case, the ban on murder. And the third group – people who are not satisfied with life, offended by the whole world. They discharge the accumulated aggression on those who are weaker. Someone mocks the household, and someone kills animals.
Doghunters do not use the word “kill”, but say “get rid”, “eliminate”…
S.E. : By changing the name of their actions, they deprive them of their meaning, erase their emotional evaluation. It’s one thing to call yourself an animal killer, another to call yourself a city orderly. This is already a kind of indulgence. On the other hand, these people cannot fail to understand that their actions are socially unacceptable. Therefore, their communities, sites, forums are so important for them, where they can get support, feel like heroes.
It’s scary that there are so many people around us who now have the experience of killing with impunity.
S.E. : Yes, because it seems that they can go from dogs to people. Although this is not a fact at all. Killers of people are often very fond of animals.
Why exactly now doghunters became more active?
S.E. : One of the reasons is disappointment in the state, which does not solve the problem of animals in big cities. In addition, we live in a society where there are not many norms – legal or behavioral. And the level of aggression of people in relation to each other is very high. The main principle is “all against all”.
What would you say to those who lost their dog due to the actions of the dog hunters, and to those who are outraged by the current situation?
S.E. : The death of a pet, the loss of a friend can be a real grief, and it takes time to get over it. Do not hold back your feelings, do not be ashamed of them and do not be ashamed to seek help from a psychologist. For those who are deeply worried about the situation, it is important to change the strategy of behavior: not only write about it on social networks, splashing out emotions, but, for example, file a collective statement with the police – when there are a lot of such statements, it is already impossible not to respond. In a word, be active.
Sergey Enikolopov, psychologist, member of the International Society for the Study of Aggression.