I believe all life should be respected whether it is human, domesticated pet, farm animal, or wild creatures in danger of extinction because of habitat destruction.

We have situations in the rain forests where deforesting is taking place at an alarming rate, to provide room for human expansion and food provision. What gives us the right to take another creatures home for our benefit, or greed, especially when, if the capitalist countries got their acts together, there is already sufficient food for everyone. Once again, human greed takes precedence over respect for the earth and the environment.

As far as taking care of pets is concerned, if you can't look after one, don't get one. In the UK, lack of money is not a valid excuse, there are plenty of insurance companies for animals, and for those that can't afford the insurance, we have animal charities which fill the gap for a donation.

So, if people don't treat other creatures, human or otherwise, with respect, they lose the right to be treated with respect themselves, and should be treated by the law accordingly.

i agree with your points, people that phsically abuse animals are bad, so are those people that treat animals as "live toys" like the ditsy girls you see carrying a dog in a handbag, dressing it up in clothes, ITS A DOG, take it for a walk, play fetch with it, don't degrade it like you do.

I think you should need to get a licence and if you breach the terms of that licence they give out very harsh penalties, no animal should suffer at the hands of a human.

I have three dogs, whom I love and probably couldn't live without right now. I can't imagine what goes through people's heads when they abuse animals. One of our dogs we took from a family who was neglecting her. She was slightly underfed and wasn't too active. We've taken good care of her and now shes lively as can be.

But I just cannot believe some people would go out of their mind to hurt or do anything to an animal. If you abuse an animal, you should get the same penalty as if you abuse a human. It just isn't right, and the animal shouldn't have to suffer at the hands of a human.

I don't see why people think that it is ok to abuse animals. Everyone who has any intelligence knows that animals feel pain just like us. There is no reason to hurt them unless they are trying to hurt you. The people who own pets and do not take care of them need to realize that they don't need to own an animal its their choice so take care of it.

I beg to differ on the fur part. One does not require [real] animal fur. It's not a necessity. Even if it's for the cold. We don't grow cotton for no reason. Several people that purchase [real] animal fur to wear, are just doing it to show off. Plus, the alternative is much cheaper, and quite possibly, doesn't even do any harm.

Nor do we require alligator-, or snake-skinned materials. Also, I hear make-up has fish ingredients.

I'm not talking about faux paus old ladies with fur coats that get terrorised by PETA throwing blood on them. I'm talking about using fur survival and not fashion. I would never buy a fur coat just for the hell of it. If I were in a situation where winter is steadily approaching and I'm lost in the wilderness with nothing but a pocketknife and I know I have little chance of rescue, I'd skin an animal to stay warm. That is what I meant.

I think people ignore human rights in their quests to make animals lives more comfortable. Animals deserve to be left alone, lent a compassionate hand when needed, but not abused or received displaced care meant for a child or brother.

Animal cruelty is terrible. It kills me to see this kind of stuff happening. I think governments should have greater punishments for this kind of thing. Two days is far from enough time in prision. If people can't afford to take care of animals they shouldn't get them in the first place.

The absolute most terrible thing I have ever seen is animals being skinned. In a video animals get smashed just enough so they are unable to move then the skins get ripped off while they are still alive. It was absolutly disgusting. Watching it made my heart sink and at the same time infuriated me knowing that there are people that could do such a thing.

Here is the link to do the video described in the paragraph above:
*I must warn everyone that the contents of the video is extreamly graphic.*
http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=fur_farm

This post has been edited by Arigato: Jun 18 2006, 04:02 AM

That video made my heart sink as well. How could something in their right mind be able to do that? I would never do that, even if I was getting paid to do it. I wonder what goes through the minds of the people who actually partake in the torture of the animal. It just saddens me to see people who are willing to hurt an animal like that for the sake of a little cash.