Compassion maybe
But several animals have been proven self aware. Or did you mean both at the same time?
( Peej, Mon 14 Jul 2014, 12:04, 1 reply, 11 years ago)

I just mean that comparing us with animals is an invalid argument.

( Kroney, Mon 14 Jul 2014, 12:06, Reply)

Not always
If you stop a "lesser" animal from suffering why shouldn't you stop a humans
(Bonzodog29 is an unemployed sponge of the worst kind, Mon 14 Jul 2014, 12:11, Reply)

I don't see that as a counterpoint, it's human compassion that puts the animal down.
You won't catch an animal doing that for another animal.

The subject of doing it for humans versus animals is about the clash between that same compassion and the concept of the sanctity of human life. In both cases they're human attributes and the comparison with the animal kingdom is irrelevant.
( Kroney, Mon 14 Jul 2014, 12:14, Reply)