Useful Humanists

Useful Humanists

Alexandr Piatkov



An elderly woman, who spotted armed men in camouflage out the window of a

commuter train, was being comforted by the entire carriage. Passengers explained

to her that it was merely a hare hunt, but they failed to convince either her or

themselves of the sensibility of what was happening.


Indeed, in Germany, for instance, hares live wherever they please, even digging

their burrows on urban lawns. In our country, however, these herbivorous, non-

aggressive animals become targets for barbaric slaughter right before people's

eyes, while aggressive, carnivorous stray dogs have somehow received an

indulgence from animal rights activists.


The meaning behind this selectivity in protecting some while destroying others is

rooted in social stereotypes. It is not based on any logic whatsoever. In China,

for example, pigs run along the streets just like dogs do here, whereas the

latter, the masters of our street life, are nowhere to be seen. In India, cows

are considered sacred animals, while in our country, they are just beef.


Hardly anyone needs to be convinced of the necessity of personal hygiene anymore;

even animal rights advocates are accustomed to destroying bacteria. Yet, when it

comes to the necessity of observing sanitary rules at markets, in courtyards,

near shops, restaurants, train stations, and bus terminals—meaning all the places

dogs inhabit—convincing these "useful" humanists proves impossible.


People in our country have started to neatly place their garbage into bins or

containers, but this elementary action is watched by many interested eyes.

Immediately, the trash is pulled out of the container, the packaging is torn

open, and the entire contents are scattered across the neighborhood.


Biological waste containing helminth eggs and pathogenic microorganisms often

ends up in such containers. For dogs, this is a treat, and after consuming it,

they become carriers of dangerous infections.


Dog feces mix with mud, soak in the rain, dry in the sun, and turn into dust.

Blown by the wind along with this dust, we inhale every possible form of

parasitic infection and consume it with greens and fruits. It settles on goods

and other everyday items, subsequently entering the human body.


Where are these animal rights defenders, and why do they not protect their own

children, as all animals do? Young children are closer to the ground; they run

around more, kick up more dust, and inhale more of it, getting a larger share of

the infection!




Original publication details:
First published on proza.ru/avtor/alexanderan
Certificate of publication No. 217020701960
© Copyright: Alexandr Piatkov, 2017
Translated into English by AI Translator Version 2026