Accidental animal crueltyI once invented a brilliant game - I'd sit at the top of the stairs and throw cat biscuits to the bottom. My cat would eat them, then I'd shake the box, and he would run up the stairs for more biscuits. Then - of course - I'd throw a biscuit back down to the bottom. I kept this going for about half an hour, amused at my little game, and all was fine until the cat vomited. I felt absolutely dreadful.
Have you accidentally been cruel to an animal?
This question has been revived from way, way, way back on the b3ta messageboard when it was all fields round here.
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rob, Thu 6 Dec 2007, 11:13)
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A quick and nasty oneReading Pounana's below reminded me of this one...
As many of you know I used to live on a farm...with the obligatory farmer.
One of our neighbours had a poor reputation as far as livestock was concerned - not so much cruelty as simply not seeming to really care enough (well, not by my standards anyway).
On many occasions I would end up rounding up escaped sheep - admittedly sheep to have two desires in life - to escape and to die, if they can achieve both at the same time they are truly happy.
Anyway, I digress....
Many years ago the family had an ageing sheep dog which accompanied the farmer everywhere.
One day the farmer and his men were in one of the orchards checking on the water level in one of the small reservoirs. These reservoirs are like concrete lined swimming pools, they fill up with rain water and then are used when necessary for things like crop spraying (those chemicals don't go on neat).
According to the story the old sheepdog chased after a rabbit and fell into the reservoir...I'm not so sure, a good sheepdog is rather like a Guide dog - they're working animals who know how to behave. The dog ended up in the reservoir and was unable to get out...it was deep and entirely smooth sided.
The farmer saw that his dog wasn't getting out so he simply called to one of his men to shoot it.
Fortunately one of the men went in and rescued the dog.
Personally I'm of the opinion that someone should have shoved the farmer in after his dog and shot him instead. I honestly believe that if you take on the responsibility of keeping livestock or animals as pets for that matter, then it's also your responsibility to care for their wellbeing to the best of your ability - even if you do intend to eat them at some point.
Although, of course he wasn't intending to eat the dog...I think.
Rant Over.
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chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Wed 12 Dec 2007, 11:16,
3 replies)
well saidi agree wholeheartedly
(, Wed 12 Dec 2007, 11:38, closed)
Plus,if he had shot the dog he'd've had to go into the water anyway to retrieve its body. So why not just rescue it?
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Bob Todd whee, Wed 12 Dec 2007, 11:42,
closed)
Hear hearThe fact that this person was willing to simply shoot the poor dog who'd no doubt given years of faithful service speaks volumes about what sort of human being they are.
(, Wed 12 Dec 2007, 11:44, closed)
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