Oh dear or dear, what a mess! And what a difficult position you are in! Kudos to you for caring about the animals and for having the courage to speak up, even amid such family pressures and dramas.
Here are my thoughts and suggestions:
You have an opportunity to help the animals. However, confronting the greatuncle and triggering his anger, then leaving, won't help the animals. If you speak up, admonishing the uncle, he will become angry, possibly fire the employees, and cause all sorts of family drama and discord. The employees and their families will suffer by the loss of their jobs. And it will all be for nothing, because if you leave, who is left to protect the animals? No one. The greatuncle will just continue to poison them. So what is accomplished? Nothing. Just a lot of pain and suffering for the employees, but nothing is done about the animals.
So, rather than confront the greatuncle on his thoughtless, cruel action, which would only make matters worse and wouldn't stop the poisoning anyway, because he will just continue after you have left, I suggest a more clever and positive action:
At the next family meal, don't accuse the greatuncle. Don't expose the employees. Don't even tell them that you know the dog and peacock were poisoned. Instead, do this:
Say: "Something is happening to the dogs and peacocks! We found a dead peacock yesterday, and right after that, a very sick dog. I was very worried that the dog was in a lot of pain and suffering! I planned to help him, but later when I returned, he was gone! I can only wonder what sort of pain this poor, helpless creature endured before wandering off into the bushes to die a slow, painful, torturous death! This is horrible, horrible!!! These animals are living beings who feel pain! We are wealthy. We have the power and resources to do something very good, compassionate and noble. Let us build an enclosure for the wild, stray animals. We can keep them confined, so that they no longer wander onto our property. We can build a fence around a large area so they can run and play freely, with a roof over their heads to protect them from the rain, and a warm place to go when it is cold. We can plant flowers around the perimeter to make it attractive. We can get all the stray animals neutered so that don't reproduce. If everyone could just contribute a bit towards their food, I will volunteer to feed them everyday. I gave some attention to a dog and was amazed at how much love this dog offered. Did you know that in the US dogs are considered family members??? Would anyone like to help me in this compassionate effort? Maybe some of us could adopt a dog to live in our homes. That is what they do in the US...the dogs aren't seen as pests, but are honored and loved. Dogs are called by Americans "man's best friend" because they are so devoted. I'm quite sure that we could all learn to enjoy these dogs instead of shooing them away...and maybe even LOVE them! If we get too many dogs, we can advertise and maybe find homes for some of them. I am just 1 person so I cannot do this alone. I need help. Who is willing to help me?"
If they are unwilling to go for the enclosure idea, then suggest that, at the very least, they help you round up the stray dogs, take them to the vet, and get them all neutered. Then leave food and water out for them on a regular basis. At the very least, by getting them neutered, they won't multiply, and will be well fed, and dogs that are well-fed are much friendlier.
By using this approach, there is a chance your greatuncle will feel a pang of remorse over his action, but without losing face. He will be offered a more positive way of dealing with the dog 'problem.' It's very possible that he isn't a cruel person at all, but just didn't know what else to do. We really can't blame him. After all, how is poisoning a dog any different from eating chicken for dinner? Here in the US, most people think nothing of eating cows, pigs and chickens, but are shocked whenever anyone mistreats a dog or cat. This is because dogs and cats are considered 'better' then cows, pigs and chickens, for some reason. But my understanding is that dogs and cats aren't regarded thusly in other countries, and it's common for them to be eaten. I don't know about India, but I know dogs are commonly eaten in China. From your description, it sounds like dogs aren't considered pets in India, as they are in the US. So, if your family eats meat, and dogs aren't honored in India as they are here, then it makes sense that they would think it's ok to poison them!
Therefore, I suggest choosing an approach that enlightens them, rather than condemns them. Offer to them a solution that is good for everyone, which will have the added benefit of opening their eyes and hearts to seeing these dogs as entities deserving of love and capable of returning that love.
Teach them by example. Adopt a couple of the dogs yourself. Become friends with them. You will be amazed at how wonderful dogs are! Bring the dogs (on a leash) with you to family gatherings, and introduce your new companions to your family. Let them see that these are entities with personalities, and lots of love!
This way, they will realize on their own that dogs aren't just nuisances.
Again, I commend you for having compassion, and for having the courage to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Please let us know how it all works out!
Here are my thoughts and suggestions:
You have an opportunity to help the animals. However, confronting the greatuncle and triggering his anger, then leaving, won't help the animals. If you speak up, admonishing the uncle, he will become angry, possibly fire the employees, and cause all sorts of family drama and discord. The employees and their families will suffer by the loss of their jobs. And it will all be for nothing, because if you leave, who is left to protect the animals? No one. The greatuncle will just continue to poison them. So what is accomplished? Nothing. Just a lot of pain and suffering for the employees, but nothing is done about the animals.
So, rather than confront the greatuncle on his thoughtless, cruel action, which would only make matters worse and wouldn't stop the poisoning anyway, because he will just continue after you have left, I suggest a more clever and positive action:
At the next family meal, don't accuse the greatuncle. Don't expose the employees. Don't even tell them that you know the dog and peacock were poisoned. Instead, do this:
Say: "Something is happening to the dogs and peacocks! We found a dead peacock yesterday, and right after that, a very sick dog. I was very worried that the dog was in a lot of pain and suffering! I planned to help him, but later when I returned, he was gone! I can only wonder what sort of pain this poor, helpless creature endured before wandering off into the bushes to die a slow, painful, torturous death! This is horrible, horrible!!! These animals are living beings who feel pain! We are wealthy. We have the power and resources to do something very good, compassionate and noble. Let us build an enclosure for the wild, stray animals. We can keep them confined, so that they no longer wander onto our property. We can build a fence around a large area so they can run and play freely, with a roof over their heads to protect them from the rain, and a warm place to go when it is cold. We can plant flowers around the perimeter to make it attractive. We can get all the stray animals neutered so that don't reproduce. If everyone could just contribute a bit towards their food, I will volunteer to feed them everyday. I gave some attention to a dog and was amazed at how much love this dog offered. Did you know that in the US dogs are considered family members??? Would anyone like to help me in this compassionate effort? Maybe some of us could adopt a dog to live in our homes. That is what they do in the US...the dogs aren't seen as pests, but are honored and loved. Dogs are called by Americans "man's best friend" because they are so devoted. I'm quite sure that we could all learn to enjoy these dogs instead of shooing them away...and maybe even LOVE them! If we get too many dogs, we can advertise and maybe find homes for some of them. I am just 1 person so I cannot do this alone. I need help. Who is willing to help me?"
If they are unwilling to go for the enclosure idea, then suggest that, at the very least, they help you round up the stray dogs, take them to the vet, and get them all neutered. Then leave food and water out for them on a regular basis. At the very least, by getting them neutered, they won't multiply, and will be well fed, and dogs that are well-fed are much friendlier.
By using this approach, there is a chance your greatuncle will feel a pang of remorse over his action, but without losing face. He will be offered a more positive way of dealing with the dog 'problem.' It's very possible that he isn't a cruel person at all, but just didn't know what else to do. We really can't blame him. After all, how is poisoning a dog any different from eating chicken for dinner? Here in the US, most people think nothing of eating cows, pigs and chickens, but are shocked whenever anyone mistreats a dog or cat. This is because dogs and cats are considered 'better' then cows, pigs and chickens, for some reason. But my understanding is that dogs and cats aren't regarded thusly in other countries, and it's common for them to be eaten. I don't know about India, but I know dogs are commonly eaten in China. From your description, it sounds like dogs aren't considered pets in India, as they are in the US. So, if your family eats meat, and dogs aren't honored in India as they are here, then it makes sense that they would think it's ok to poison them!
Therefore, I suggest choosing an approach that enlightens them, rather than condemns them. Offer to them a solution that is good for everyone, which will have the added benefit of opening their eyes and hearts to seeing these dogs as entities deserving of love and capable of returning that love.
Teach them by example. Adopt a couple of the dogs yourself. Become friends with them. You will be amazed at how wonderful dogs are! Bring the dogs (on a leash) with you to family gatherings, and introduce your new companions to your family. Let them see that these are entities with personalities, and lots of love!
This way, they will realize on their own that dogs aren't just nuisances.
Again, I commend you for having compassion, and for having the courage to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Please let us know how it all works out!
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