Tuesday, June 02, 2009

A Thought on Animal Cruelty

Why is it that we have laws against cruelty to animals that do not extend to killing them for food or for their skins?

Isn't that equivalent to prohibiting abuse or assault of people, but not cannibalism or the wearing of bags and shoes made of human skin?

(I am wondering, not condemning. I do wear leather, though not without a twinge at my conscience.)

Edited on 3 June 2009: Also, in respect to breeding animals for food being cruel, read this.

5 comments:

Nitu Saksena said...

Being non-vegetarian is very natural. We are part of the food chain. But treating them with cruelity is not natural. No other species kills unless hungry, of course other than humans.

P.S - I am a vegetarian by choice.

Unmana said...

The food chain argument holds if you assume a natural habitat. Hunter-gatherer peoples kill animals for food - okay. Modern technologically advanced humans breeding animals or hunting them with guns for meat and to make accessories of their skins - that doesn't seem so natural to me!

Anonymous said...

I gave up non vegetarian food when I realised how cruelly and unnaturally animals are bred and killed for eating. And I do think a civilised society should have strong laws against all cruelty including cruelty to animals.

Unmana said...

IHM: When I was a little girl, I used to go shopping with my mom. To buy chicken. And I would watch while they killed and skinned and cut up the bird for us.

Each time, I would pledge to give up non-veg. But I loved non-veg food, and I didn't have enough will power.

I finally became vegetarian after I grew up. I wish I could go vegan, but that seems like too much trouble.

Anonymous said...

My thoughts are bit different in this. The plants are called 'living organism lacking the power of locomotion' the animals are called 'living organism characterized by voluntary movement' the humans are called 'living organism characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage. Basically all the living organisms are charaterized by different senses (1 the least and 6 the most) and now you know the fittest survives. Rationally i don't see any difference between killing a plant or animal. But yes i agree that the animals should be treated well at least until they are alive.