Why are some animals treated humanely while others are not?

[Nick]

Does the Church teach that certain animals are to be treated in a humane manner while others are not? For example, most people would see it as a serious crime to brutally kill an innocent dog, but would not see it as a crime to brutally kill an innocent ant (deliberately stepping on one), so I am thinking that there must be some fundamental difference between the two species (dog and ant) that makes a dog’s life more valuable than an ant, even though they are both animals. Any thoughts?

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

I think inhumane treatment to dogs has an adverse effect on our mental well-beings. Stepping on ants (accidently) has no effect on our mental well-being. Burning ants with a magnifying glass I think is inhumane and damaging to our mental well-being too. :twocents:

In summary, I think inhumane treatment to animals is more about the effect it has on us. That sounds selfish, doesn’t it?

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

This comes down to regional differences and people inside them.

For example, cows are eaten in the US, but are revered in India. Dogs are revered in the US, but are eaten in Korea and China. It often comes down to local cultures.

 

[passioncrosslov]

How funny! Bad treatment of animals are considered inhamane, and slaughting unborn babies, burning them with acids, or disposing them like garbage is legal??? I just dont understand… :ehh:

 

[melensdad]

Does the Church teach that certain animals are to be treated in a humane manner while others are not? For example, most people would see it as a serious crime to brutally kill an innocent dog, but would not see it as a crime to brutally kill an innocent ant (deliberately stepping on one), so I am thinking that there must be some fundamental difference between the two species (dog and ant) that makes a dog’s life more valuable than an ant, even though they are both animals. Any thoughts?

My thoughts are your logic is flawed.

Stepping on an ant very quickly kills it. No suffering. Just instant death. Shooting a rabid dog would also quickly kill it with minimal suffering. While both end up dead, both are killed as humanely as practical.

Consider deer hunters, their goal is a one shot clean quick kill. I used to hunt game birds, I can honestly tell you that the birds that were shot by a shotgun were dead before they heard the shot go off because the shotgun pellets travel faster than sound. Consider commercial meat processors, their employ several different methods of killing animals but their goal is also a quick kill. The possible exception of Kosher food where, if I understand it, the throat of the animal is cut and it bleeds out? I’m not totally clear on that but I believe that is the case. Not sure where that falls on the scale of 'humane vs inhumane"

Now if you want to talk about inhumane, then that would include pulling the wings off bugs, and other intentional torture. Inhumane thought would also include assisted suicide, abortion, and so-called mercy killing of the sick or elderly.

All I can say is that some people are simply cruel/sick and enjoy the torture of an animal.

 

[udoc89]

My thoughts are your logic is flawed.

Stepping on an ant very quickly kills it. No suffering. Just instant death. Shooting a rabid dog would also quickly kill it with minimal suffering. While both end up dead, both are killed as humanely as practical.

Consider deer hunters, their goal is a one shot clean quick kill. I used to hunt game birds, I can honestly tell you that the birds that were shot by a shotgun were dead before they heard the shot go off because the shotgun pellets travel faster than sound. Consider commercial meat processors, their employ several different methods of killing animals but their goal is also a quick kill. The possible exception of Kosher food where, if I understand it, the throat of the animal is cut and it bleeds out? I’m not totally clear on that but I believe that is the case. Not sure where that falls on the scale of 'humane vs inhumane"

Now if you want to talk about inhumane, then that would include pulling the wings off bugs, and other intentional torture. Inhumane thought would also include assisted suicide, abortion, and so-called mercy killing of the sick or elderly.

All I can say is that some people are simply cruel/sick and enjoy the torture of an animal.

I agree…and if they are cruel and enjoy torturing animals, it is also unfortunately true that they will probably treat humans the same way.

 

[Proletarian]

For example, most people would see it as a serious crime to brutally kill an innocent dog, but would not see it as a crime to brutally kill an innocent ant (deliberately stepping on one), so I am thinking that there must be some fundamental difference between the two species (dog and ant) that makes a dog’s life more valuable than an ant, even though they are both animals. Any thoughts?

I really don’t see it that way. Personally I don’t see any distinction between a dog or an ant. They are all God’s creations, why destroy them just for the sake of it (regardless of their size)?

 

[Nick]

My thoughts are your logic is flawed.

Stepping on an ant very quickly kills it. No suffering. Just instant death. Shooting a rabid dog would also quickly kill it with minimal suffering. While both end up dead, both are killed as humanely as practical.

Yes, but the ant is just being arbitrarily killed here isnt it? I mean the dog is being killed because it is a rabid and a potential threat, and in the other example you gave of hunting the animal is killed to be used for food or some other reason, but there is no reason to kill the ant, even if it is killed in a humane manner. If someone were to just kill a dog just because it was there not because it was posing a threat or anything we would consider that inhumane, no?

This is why I suspect that there is some fundamental difference between species of animals, but I cant quite put my finger on what it might be. There is something about horses, dogs, cats, and even cows, pigs, and chickens that tells us that they are not to be arbitrarily killed whereas the same does not apply to insects and vermin. Why is that?

 

[Della]

Yes, but the ant is just being arbitrarily killed here isnt it? I mean the dog is being killed because it is a rabid and a potential threat, and in the other example you gave of hunting the animal is killed to be used for food or some other reason, but there is no reason to kill the ant, even if it is killed in a humane manner. If someone were to just kill a dog just because it was there not because it was posing a threat or anything we would consider that inhumane, no?

This is why I suspect that there is some fundamental difference between species of animals, but I cant quite put my finger on what it might be. There is something about horses, dogs, cats, and even cows, pigs, and chickens that tells us that they are not to be arbitrarily killed whereas the same does not apply to insects and vermin. Why is that?

I never deliberately step on ants or kill spiders. I’ve been known to rescue spiders from my bathroom sink which are so small they appear to be nothing but a speck of dirt. And why? Because they are God’s creatures just as much as my 4 cats, 2 fire toads, 2 tetras and 1 algae eater.

Having said that, I will swat mosquitoes and gnats because they sting and may be carrying diseases. Of course, that quick swat takes them before they know what’s happened to them.

Some animals have a higher intelligence and ability to comprehend things like affection and play and other such things apart from simple survival that the insects do not. I believe God created this hierarchy of abilities so that man would have companions and helpers. It is harder for us to appreciate the contributions of some creatures, but none of them should be treated callously or without thought for their place in the world.

 

[melensdad]

Yes, but the ant is just being arbitrarily killed here isnt it?

Why would you assume that? We do not know if the ant is in the kitchen spreading germs. Or if it is a carpenter ant that is eating the wood structure of your house. Nor do we know if this is just some random ant on the sidewalk in a city far away from your home. The example simply said “stepping on” an ant. No further information was given.

If someone were to just kill a dog just because it was there not because it was posing a threat or anything we would consider that inhumane, no?

Again not enough information here. But I live in a rural area. If there is a dog hanging around that is not known, it is probably looking for food and starving. Its probably lost, and if its been in the woods on my property it is coated in ticks. So if it looks like it has been out on its own a long time then is it humane to leave it out? But presume you can’t take it in. We have no “animal control” out where I live. So maybe a quick shot with a .223 to the back of its head is the most humane answer that is practical. I would never do that, but I know some who would, and living out here, I can’t say as I would blame them, especially if they have other animals they need to protect from that lone stray dog.

I suspect that there is some fundamental difference between species of animals, but I cant quite put my finger on what it might be. There is something about horses, dogs, cats, and even cows, pigs, and chickens that tells us that they are not to be arbitrarily killed whereas the same does not apply to insects and vermin. Why is that?

I suspect that most folks look at insects and vermin that set up home in your house are “pests” that carry disease and filth. A horse or cow or dog or chicken cannot enter your home without you letting it in (while rats, mice, termites, and ants can come in uninvited). Therefore you have control over some species and you can easily contain it in a pen, stable or barn. The pest species tend to populate your home and multiply unchecked. They are destructive and cannot be trained otherwise. They carry and spread disease.

Seems pretty clear to me that distinctions can easily be made.

 

[RhyannaRose]

I think there’s a hierarchy as well, though I will also try my hardest not to kill God’s creatures unless it’s necessary. Today I pulled a damsel fly out of a spider’s web on the back of the garage door and carefully pulled the sticky web off it’s wings so it could fly away. In hindsight, that might not have been very nice to the spider, but I couldn’t bear to see the thing struggling so frantically.

I do think my dogs and cats are on a higher emotional level then the horses I rode, and they are on a higher level then the cows and pigs that frequent my dinner table, and they are on a higher level then the fish in my aquarium and they are on a higher level then the ant someone stepped on (hopefully not just to kill it)

Nature is one place I really see God’s Creation, especially when you look at how diverse and complex the life even just in your own backyard is. Sometimes I am in total awe of this planet He made and the creatures He filled it with.

 

[Holly3278]

Yes, but the ant is just being arbitrarily killed here isnt it? I mean the dog is being killed because it is a rabid and a potential threat, and in the other example you gave of hunting the animal is killed to be used for food or some other reason, but there is no reason to kill the ant, even if it is killed in a humane manner. If someone were to just kill a dog just because it was there not because it was posing a threat or anything we would consider that inhumane, no?

This is why I suspect that there is some fundamental difference between species of animals, but I cant quite put my finger on what it might be. There is something about horses, dogs, cats, and even cows, pigs, and chickens that tells us that they are not to be arbitrarily killed whereas the same does not apply to insects and vermin. Why is that?

Maybe it is because horses, dogs, cats, cows, pigs, and chickens are all beneficial to the human race while insects and vermin tend to be detrimental to the human race?

 

[Proletarian]

Maybe it is because horses, dogs, cats, cows, pigs, and chickens are all beneficial to the human race while insects and vermin tend to be detrimental to the human race?

I’d have to disagree. Every non-human organism on the planet is designed to be “beneficial” to the human race (directly or indirectly) We’ve seen how the removal of a particular insect or vermin can have a significant impact upon the environment.

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

I think this is very unfair.Animals share the planet with us and should always be respected and treated with kindness.We should be friends with them and look after them. They are Gods creatures, like us.I am holding a gerbil right now.

 

[Bonnie]

but the ant is just being arbitrarily killed here isnt it?

The ants here are carpenter ants, & they are eating our home! We’re working very hard to eliminate them. However, we don’t bother the carpenter ants in the woods, because they have their niche in the environment.

We also kill mice that get in the house, & we did have to kill a dog that killed many of my chickens & ducks. Ditto for the raccoons & skunks. We’re trying to discourage a bear from staying on our property because he killed one of our chickens. If he keeps hanging around, we get bear steaks!

We are to be stewards of the earth & what it contains. That can mean killing certain animals - & even plants. We used to have a neighbor that would go ballistic every time my dad cut down a tree. And she was living in a house made of trees! What a fit she would have if she could see the logging my dh & I have done in our woods. But it’s necessary for the health of the forest.

IMHO, much of the dislike of killing animals or cutting trees comes from being disconnected from the land. It seems to me that the more “back to nature” we get, the more killing we do. However, people in urban & suburban areas are responsible for even more killing - they just pay others to do it for them.

 

[Nick]

The ants here are carpenter ants, & they are eating our home! We’re working very hard to eliminate them. However, we don’t bother the carpenter ants in the woods, because they have their niche in the environment.

We also kill mice that get in the house, & we did have to kill a dog that killed many of my chickens & ducks. Ditto for the raccoons & skunks. We’re trying to discourage a bear from staying on our property because he killed one of our chickens. If he keeps hanging around, we get bear steaks!

We are to be stewards of the earth & what it contains. That can mean killing certain animals - & even plants. We used to have a neighbor that would go ballistic every time my dad cut down a tree. And she was living in a house made of trees! What a fit she would have if she could see the logging my dh & I have done in our woods. But it’s necessary for the health of the forest.

IMHO, much of the dislike of killing animals or cutting trees comes from being disconnected from the land. It seems to me that the more “back to nature” we get, the more killing we do. However, people in urban & suburban areas are responsible for even more killing - they just pay others to do it for them.

Can’t you just call animal control in these situations? Is it legal where you live to kill animals like this?

God Bless

 

[Bonnie]

Yep - it’s legal. In the case of the dog, the sheriff told us to kill it because there is no animal control outside of town & the owners wouldn’t keep the dog home. The Fish & Game people are overwhelmed & refused to come out & trap the bear. The guy said he’d rather we took care of it ourselves - he said there’s no shortage of black bears around here!

If we called Fish & Game about the coons & skunks, they’d laugh themselves silly!

If these animals stay in the woods & away from us, we don’t go out of our way to kill them. It’s only when they go after our farm animals that we get out the live traps (so we don’t kill our own cats) & guns.

I know that some would say the wild animals were here first, & that’s true. But humans have been moving into the territory of animals since the beginning. As the cities get bigger, the suburbs spread farther, so those of us who like to live in the country & raise our own food have to go farther out also.