Is being pro animal cruelty a common Catholic belief?

[MarkInOregon]

If this is your logic perhaps we can look at it from the other end of the equation too. Instead of claiming cruelty what if we claim animal worship is a god in our culture? We have pet food stores on every corner as big as aircraft hangers. We spend billions on all types of pet stuff. Many of us treat pets with the dignity only reserved to humans. We treat pets as if they were really people. How much money and time do we spend on pets versus what we do for our fellow man? So, perhaps cruelty is not the issue but worship is the issue.

I am reminded of an early episode of Portlandia where a couple comes to a cafe where people are sitting outside eating. They see a dog on a leash attached to a poll. They immediately go over to the dog–as if it is in distress. They then go around to tables asking the diners if the dog belongs to them. It doesn’t belong to anyone at the cafe. They order food for the dog off the menu and have the waitress bring the dog some water. The lady questions–“who ties a dog up to a poll like a stripper?” Growing mores distressed because dog won’t eat they decide to set the dog free. Just after it runs off–a father and daughter walk up with ice cream they had gotten next door to the cafe, they look around and ask if anyone has seen their dog. They are confronted by the couple and stand there drop jawed when the are told the dog has been set free. The couple walks off and half way down the block they stop to pick up their infant child that they had tied to a poll. This I think sums up what has happened in our world.

Peace,
Mark

 

[Bookcat]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church

2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity.195 Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man’s dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation.196

2416 Animals are God’s creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory.197 Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals.

2417 God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image.198 Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives.

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a7.htm#2415

 

[fix]

I am reminded of an early episode of Portlandia where a couple comes to a cafe where people are sitting outside eating. They see a dog on a leash attached to a poll. They immediately go over to the dog–as if it is in distress. They then go around to tables asking the diners if the dog belongs to them. It doesn’t belong to anyone at the cafe. They order food for the dog off the menu and have the waitress bring the dog some water. The lady questions–“who ties a dog up to a poll like a stripper?” Growing mores distressed because dog won’t eat they decide to set the dog free. Just after it runs off–a father and daughter walk up with ice cream they had gotten next door to the cafe, they look around and ask if anyone has seen their dog. They are confronted by the couple and stand there drop jawed when the are told the dog has been set free. The couple walks off and half way down the block they stop to pick up their infant child that they had tied to a poll. This I think sums up what has happened in our world.

Peace,
Mark

I wonder if that is based on a true incident? I think the CCC quote really balances things well. No one wants to be cruel to animals, but I think I am justified in saying we have gone overboard with our interest in all things pets.

 

[SonSearcher]

2418 It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons.

There it is.