Mancunians showed their generous side after the blaze that ripped through Manchester Dogs’ Home on Thursday night – raising more than £1.4million.
The outpouring of emotion and donations for the 60 dogs that were killed in the fire, as well as the injured and those that lost their home, showed that the city is canine crazy.
But do Mancunians think this cause is worthy of that such a vast amount of funding.
So MM asked:
Do you think the Manchester Dogs’ Home Fire donations show people care more about animal welfare than human suffering?
| Yes | No |
| 34% | 66% |
Wyllie Longmore, 73, didn’t believe that people held animals in higher esteem than their fellow humans.
“It’s an emotional response, it’s nothing to do with caring more for dogs than people,” said the Chorlton-based director and actor, who has had roles in Love Actually and Cold Feet.
“I’m not actually a big fan of dogs – working dogs are fine, but pets serve no purpose. Still, it’s a horrible incident.”
ABOUT TIME: Ex-Dogs’ Home volunteer Paul Jones believes they were underfunded anyway
An ex-volunteer with Manchester Dogs’ Home, Paul Jones, believes that people are invested in a variety of causes.
“Manchester’s pretty good with raising money for different issues – there’s a good balance,” said Paul, 40, who is currently unemployed.
“I don’t think there’s been anywhere near enough input on social media. However, Manchester Dogs’ Home was so underfunded before this and it’s great that people are now donating.”
Georgine Lawrence, 40, believed that people were focusing on the wrong aspect of the arson.
“People destroy old properties all the time – there should be more of a concern about whether the property destroyed was aesthetically good, or useful in some way,” said Georgine, who lives in the city centre.
“It is rather a lot to donate – I’m not saying that people shouldn’t have given it, but my first response was to question if people could raise money for low income people, for example.
“I’m not sure certain issues get the response they deserve.”
Some, however, believed that animals are inherently more deserving of sympathy.
TAKING THE LEAD: Kirsty Wilson insists dogs need the aid more than humans
“I think people care more about animal welfare because animals can’t help the situations they find themselves in,” said 22-year-old Kirsty Wilson, a chemistry student from the University of Strathclyde.
“Not that people always cause their own problems, but dogs are so innocent.”
Polish Kamila Matysiak, who has been in Salford for five years, disagreed and said: “I think people care about themselves more than animals.”
The 24-year-old waitress was also not convinced that the internet was the driving force behind people’s generosity.
“I don’t think the support is necessarily down to social media – there are a lot of animal lovers out there and they’ll influence people around them.”
MAN’S BEST FRIEND: Jana Nauts believes people put themselves first
Jana Nauts, who is living in Oldham, said: “Animals are a good cause to give to, but people look after themselves.”
The 45-year-old Estonian suggested that ‘people care more about people’.
Self-employed network marketer, Philip Matthews, agreed that people were more concerned with themselves.
“I wouldn’t say people care more about the dogs – but it certainly pulls on the heartstrings. People love dogs, you know?”
The Salford-born animal lover, 46, who owns two cats and a tortoise, also felt that social media had a vital role in stirring up so much support for the Dogs’ Home.
Some people were more on the fence in regards to the issue – and suggested that portraying an image on social media was more important than supporting charitable causes.
BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE: People donated to look good, says Marc Davenport
“I’m not sure if people care more about dogs,” said 37-year-old Levenshulme labourer Marc Davenport.
“It’s great that it got so much support, but it seemed like some people just did it to look good, because there was such a big thing on Facebook.
“It’s the same as that Ice Bucket Challenge, people get behind something and go mad with it.”
Retired teacher Sandra Davies, from Salford, agreed that people went ‘mad’ over the incident.
“It’s a preposterous amount of money to donate,” the 71-year-old said. “Maybe I’m just bitter, but I think people should spend their money on causes which will make a difference.”
Image courtesy of SWNS TV via YouTube with thanks
