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I would say yes, (if someone just murdered my pet just to watch 'em die) but I would probably be thought of as a godless-hethenist-infidel, so I will keep my opinion to myself.
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I can't say for sure what I'd do. Never been in the situation. I'd defend my dog with everything I've got, and if I didn't kill or maim the individual, I'd set about making their life a living hell. Cynical old women can be good at thinking of ways to really f*** up someone who'd do something as idiotic as harming an animal. Hee-hee.
I have mixed feelings on this on both emotional and intellectual levels.
On one side, I do not feel that non-human animals equal or exceed humans.
Humans have greater emotional and intellectual capacity than animals (and yes, I am conceding that animals have emotions and some level of intelligence) and thus are higher in stature than animals. ).
Really? Because I have greater emotional and intellectual capacity than most human beings. Does that mean I have higher stature and therefore a greater right to life or freedom from abuse?
Btw, good post all around. Liked it! Just didn't see why greater emotional and intellectual capacity translates to greater rights...seems arbitrary.
As for the original question, yes I would kill someone if they were trying to kill my pet and that was the only way to stop them.
Not all human life is worth more than animals. Anyone on my property trying to kill my living property is worthy of lethal force if there are no other options. I would prefer not killing them and instead permenantly disabling them instead. Buckshot to the knee at close range would do the trick.
Hell, I like animals more than I like most people.
Really? Because I have greater emotional and intellectual capacity than most human beings. Does that mean I have higher stature and therefore a greater right to life or freedom from abuse?
Btw, good post all around. Liked it! Just didn't see why greater emotional and intellectual capacity translates to greater rights...seems arbitrary.
Well, it is somewhat arbitrary, but then again, so are the basis for all rights and authority. I do think it is somewhat reasonable to grant rights to a group according to how conscious they are and how they perceive the world.
I would say yes, (if someone just murdered my pet just to watch 'em die) but I would probably be thought of as a godless-hethenist-infidel, so I will keep my opinion to myself.
But you didn't keep your opinion to yourself.
I lean your way. Although I would hope I wouldn't kill another person, I would probably find some way to harm them if they killed or hurt one of my pets.
As for the original question, yes I would kill someone if they were trying to kill my pet and that was the only way to stop them.
Not all human life is worth more than animals. Anyone on my property trying to kill my living property is worthy of lethal force if there are no other options. I would prefer not killing them and instead permenantly disabling them instead. Buckshot to the knee at close range would do the trick.
Thank you for saying the bolded/underlined. I am amazed at how many people think otherwise. No, people are not by default more important than animals. Some people are simply a waste of air, water and food.
My landlord has a cat that he rescued after some kids burned its tail off. In my opinion, those kids are absolutely worthless, and if they are so heartless NOW, what good will they be as adults? What possible contribution could such cretins ever make to society? They are already damaged beyond repair. Of course we can't just kill them--that should be an option given to their mothers--but you'd better believe if I caught some kids doing something like that, I would put such fear into their soulless minds that they'd be looking over their shoulders for a long time to come.
I love my cat dearly. I have spent money on her. I would probably spend a lot of money on her if I had to. I understand how people love their pets dearly. I understand how people humanize their pets.
But she is an animal.
A person is a human being.
No animal is worth the life of a human being.
I wonder if there is case law on this. The only place I could imagine something like this being allowed is California or Massachusetts.
Not happening in CA. You can't kill an intruder coming into your home to rob you or kill you. If you do, you will endure a lenghthy trial and investigation and possible law suit from the intruder. One of the reasons we moved. My pets are my best friends, but no, I would not shoot a person over them. I may beat them soundly however.
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