环球英语 — 106：Street Animals

　　Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight¹ program. I’m Liz Waid
Voice 2
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.
Voice 1
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.
Voice 2
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 bled² to death from her wounds³.
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.
Voice 2
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 successfully⁴ and healthily in the wild. Cats and dogs need homes. They need to be fed regularly⁵. 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 transportation⁶. The animals also helped with farming⁷ tasks.
Voice 1
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.
Voice 2
Companion animals are also called pets. Owning a pet requires responsibility⁸. 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 mate⁹ often with other animals. This creates more homeless, wild animals.
Voice 2
Street animals suffer from a number of problems. They may starve. They may suffer from disease¹⁰. The animals face danger from humans also. Cars often hit street animals on roads. These problems make the animals aggressive¹¹ and angry. They are not friendly. They can carry diseases¹² 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 killing¹³ the animals. But this does not prevent the problem. And often, this does not successfully reduce the number of street animals.
Voice 2
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 Protection¹⁴ of Animals, or the WSPA, has several programs to solve the problem of street animals.
Voice 1
The WSPA works¹⁵ 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.
Voice 2
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.
Voice 1
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.
Voice 2
Humane¹⁶ Society International, or HSI, is working on developing¹⁷ 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 helping¹⁸ 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 vaccinations¹⁹ 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 means²⁰ a better life for the animal, the person and the community.
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 bled   

v.流血( bleed的过去式和过去分词 )；勒索，敲诈；散开；给（某人）放血

参考例句：

• She slowly bled to death . 她慢慢地失血死去。
• We should thank those who bled for the revolution. 我们应该感谢那些为革命而牺牲的人们。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 wounds   

n.创伤( wound的名词复数 )；伤口；伤痕；（心灵上的）伤v.使受伤，伤害( wound的第三人称单数 )；使（心灵）受伤，伤感情；偷盗( swipe的过去式和过去分词 )；卷绕

参考例句：

• It took a long time for the wounds to heal. 伤口过了很长时间才愈合。
• They've been trying hard to lick their wounds these years. 这几年，他们一直在努力求得失败后的复原。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 successfully   

adv.圆满地；顺利地；成功地

参考例句：

• The meeting passed off successfully.会议开得很成功。
• At last we successfully put through the business deal.最终我们成功地完成了这桩交易。

5 regularly   

adv.有规则地，一丝不苟地，正式地

参考例句：

• Check the engine oil level regularly.要时常检查机油量。
• We meet regularly to discuss business.我们定期会面讨论事务。

6 transportation   

n.运输，运输系统，运输工具

参考例句：

• The transportation of goods by air costs a lot.航空运输货物花费很高。
• He finally solved the difficulty of transportation.他终于解决了运输的困难。

7 farming   

n.农事；耕作

参考例句：

• He lives by farming.他靠务农过活。
• He is farming in Africa.他在非洲经营农场。

8 responsibility   

n.责任，职责

参考例句：

• The safety of the ship is the captain's responsibility.确保船的安全是船长的责任。
• The matter is outside my area of the responsibility.此事超出我的责任范围。

9 mate   

n.伙伴，同事；配偶；大副；v.(使)交配

参考例句：

• Where is the mate to this glove?这副手套的另一只在哪儿？
• She has been a faithful mate to him.她一直是他忠实的配偶。

10 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

11 aggressive   

adj.侵略的，好斗的；敢作敢为的

参考例句：

• You'd better keep the two aggressive boys apart.你最好把那两个好斗的男孩分开。
• These fish are very aggressive.这些鱼极具攻击性。

12 diseases   

n.疾病( disease的名词复数 )；弊端；恶疾；痼疾

参考例句：

• Smoking is a causative factor in several major diseases. 抽烟是引起几种严重疾病的病因。
• The illness frequently coexists with other chronic diseases. 这种病往往与其他慢性病同时存在。

13 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

14 protection   

n.保护，防卫，保护制度

参考例句：

• The protection of the country is the duty of everyone.保卫国家是每个人的责任。
• The young in our society need care and protection.我们社会的年轻人需要关怀和照顾。

15 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

16 humane   

adj.人道的，富有同情心的

参考例句：

• Is it humane to kill animals for food?宰杀牲畜来吃合乎人道吗？
• Their aim is for a more just and humane society.他们的目标是建立一个更加公正、博爱的社会。

17 developing   

adj.发展中的

参考例句：

• Transport has always been the key to developing trade.运输一直是发展贸易的关键。
• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。

18 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

19 vaccinations   

n.种痘，接种( vaccination的名词复数 )；牛痘疤

参考例句：

• Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时，我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。