There are many subjects on the treatment of animals this writer is not prepared to deal with. It may be cavalier to say this, but we didn’t wind up on the top of the food chain to eat nuts and berries. One of life’s great pleasures is a nice prime steak, Maryland Crab Cakes, or some tasty fried chicken. Likewise, this writer has no problem with furs and leather. In expressing this, we should strive to treat animals destined to be killed for our lifestyles to be treated and slaughtered as humanly as possible.
Likewise few things add value to our lives than a beloved pet. This writer loves dogs. Others like cats. Further dogs serve us in so many productive and healthy ways such as serving as animal companions for the blind and disabled. Sadly, there is a pet selling market that breeds animals for sale in horrible conditions that we cannot tolerate.
Our focus centers on three areas: animal testing, animals trained for recreational use, and zoos.
Scientists must work hard to eliminate animal testing to the fullest extent possible. Being forcefully injured, infected with diseases, subjected to harsh chemicals and toxins, and other horribly painful and torturous fates is utterly grotesque conduct especially when dogs, all too-often beagles for their lovable personalities and trusting nature making them very compliant subjects whose emotional reactions mirror our own, and higher primates for their biological similarities to our own, simply exceeds this writer’s humanity to tolerate. For some tests, if this is what it takes to test certain products, maybe the pursuit isn’t worth it. The end does not justify the means. Product testing for consumer goods and cosmetics can surely be accomplished without harming animals. Having read some reports of the experimental use of beagles is enough to drive this writer mad with hurt.
What really piqued our interest in writing about his subject is the horrible accident that occurred Wednesday at Sea World in Orlando where a trainer was killed by an Orca, commonly known as a “killer whale” though the species is a member of the dolphin family. Apparently the animal grabbed the 40 year old female trainer’s pigtail pulled her in the water and then gripped her in his jaw. This same animal had been involved in two fatal accidents before.
We’ve seen news footage of circus elephants going out of control hurting spectators. Other examples of “accidents” are widely reported.
Should we not do some serious soul searching about taking animals out of their element, subjecting them to extensive conditioning, some painful for the sake of our amusement?
What is the true value of such entertainment? Certainly it has a definite “wow” effect but what is it showing other than man’s mastery over the animal kingdom.
It’s a troubling question, but if such entertainment were outlawed tomorrow, would we be upset? Whose rights would really be stepped on? There is no constitutional amendment which provides the right to imprison animals for the sake of money making entertainment.
We’re also disturbed about the world of exotic pets. Dogs and cats are creatures that have gone through thousands of years of breeding and evolution to live side by side with humans in their homes and when housed kindly and appropriately can be tremendous joyful companions.
Other situations aren’t so pleasurable. How can we not think of the elderly lady who had a male chimpanzee as her domestic companion? The animal was not acting himself so she gave him behavior altering drugs for humans. The chimp later freaked out and could not be brought under control. The chimp absolutely mutilated the woman’s friend who suffered broken limbs and had her face literally ripped off leaving her blind and deformed for evermore.
Humans have left a growing danger in the wetlands of Florida. Collectors of exotic snakes are creating an unspeakable disaster. Pythons, huge and dangerous reptiles, are either getting loose or being released on purpose into Florida’s waterways providing them with an ideal habitat to flourish and reproduce. These snakes create a tremendous danger to the ecosystem’s existing inhabitants and pose tremendous danger to humans, sportsmen and residents near the water.
While we may feel we are special or superior creatures to the animal kingdom, we must respect that we are biologically their kin. That kinship requires respect and morals to act accordingly. When man gave name to the animals he assumed the role of often being those animals’ keeper as well.
We must respect they need their space to live, feed, thrive, and survive. Animals do not exist simply for our pleasure or recreation. Conservation efforts to preserve habitat are noble and necessary. As animal species face extinction we face up to hard reality that as creatures of the earth our time will come as well. A study of evolution and human development suggests that our time on this planet is but a small fraction of the time many everyday creatures have called earth home. One million years ago, there were no human beings as we know them today. Human history is only in the five digits. How much do we know that goes back further than 15,000 years?
Many controversies exist today where endangered species appear to be put in such high reverence that human concerns are overruled by laws, judicial rulings, and aggressive regulation. The water supply required to irrigate much of California’s most fertile farm land has been shutdown for threatening the life of some minnow like species. Meanwhile, along the shores of the lower Maryland western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, residents with shore front properties are facing severe erosion problems as their property falls off into the bay without structural reinforcement. Such efforts are being prohibited for the sake of an endangered species of beetle.
While the issues regarding animals, their inappropriate use in entertainment, exotic pets not suitable for human cohabitation, and attempts to protect endangered species, might not seem that important when we face serious issues like world terrorism, economic strife, and health care reform, we must address how we best live harmoniously with others with whom we share the planet. Surely, some of these debates have gone on since humans first developed self-reflective properties able to communicate with one another and discuss their differences with other beings on the planet. We now live in a world where the human footprint has set down in the most remote places on earth. Our presence exists on all continents and the effects of our behavior are universal. With our tremendous powers to control and harvest the earth come even more significant responsibilities.
We’ve only cited a few examples, provided even fewer answers, while raising many questions. That we question openly is perhaps the most important thing we can do aside from learning from how we can better treat all creatures great and small.
Likewise few things add value to our lives than a beloved pet. This writer loves dogs. Others like cats. Further dogs serve us in so many productive and healthy ways such as serving as animal companions for the blind and disabled. Sadly, there is a pet selling market that breeds animals for sale in horrible conditions that we cannot tolerate.
Our focus centers on three areas: animal testing, animals trained for recreational use, and zoos.
Scientists must work hard to eliminate animal testing to the fullest extent possible. Being forcefully injured, infected with diseases, subjected to harsh chemicals and toxins, and other horribly painful and torturous fates is utterly grotesque conduct especially when dogs, all too-often beagles for their lovable personalities and trusting nature making them very compliant subjects whose emotional reactions mirror our own, and higher primates for their biological similarities to our own, simply exceeds this writer’s humanity to tolerate. For some tests, if this is what it takes to test certain products, maybe the pursuit isn’t worth it. The end does not justify the means. Product testing for consumer goods and cosmetics can surely be accomplished without harming animals. Having read some reports of the experimental use of beagles is enough to drive this writer mad with hurt.
What really piqued our interest in writing about his subject is the horrible accident that occurred Wednesday at Sea World in Orlando where a trainer was killed by an Orca, commonly known as a “killer whale” though the species is a member of the dolphin family. Apparently the animal grabbed the 40 year old female trainer’s pigtail pulled her in the water and then gripped her in his jaw. This same animal had been involved in two fatal accidents before.
We’ve seen news footage of circus elephants going out of control hurting spectators. Other examples of “accidents” are widely reported.
Should we not do some serious soul searching about taking animals out of their element, subjecting them to extensive conditioning, some painful for the sake of our amusement?
What is the true value of such entertainment? Certainly it has a definite “wow” effect but what is it showing other than man’s mastery over the animal kingdom.
It’s a troubling question, but if such entertainment were outlawed tomorrow, would we be upset? Whose rights would really be stepped on? There is no constitutional amendment which provides the right to imprison animals for the sake of money making entertainment.
We’re also disturbed about the world of exotic pets. Dogs and cats are creatures that have gone through thousands of years of breeding and evolution to live side by side with humans in their homes and when housed kindly and appropriately can be tremendous joyful companions.
Other situations aren’t so pleasurable. How can we not think of the elderly lady who had a male chimpanzee as her domestic companion? The animal was not acting himself so she gave him behavior altering drugs for humans. The chimp later freaked out and could not be brought under control. The chimp absolutely mutilated the woman’s friend who suffered broken limbs and had her face literally ripped off leaving her blind and deformed for evermore.
Humans have left a growing danger in the wetlands of Florida. Collectors of exotic snakes are creating an unspeakable disaster. Pythons, huge and dangerous reptiles, are either getting loose or being released on purpose into Florida’s waterways providing them with an ideal habitat to flourish and reproduce. These snakes create a tremendous danger to the ecosystem’s existing inhabitants and pose tremendous danger to humans, sportsmen and residents near the water.
While we may feel we are special or superior creatures to the animal kingdom, we must respect that we are biologically their kin. That kinship requires respect and morals to act accordingly. When man gave name to the animals he assumed the role of often being those animals’ keeper as well.
We must respect they need their space to live, feed, thrive, and survive. Animals do not exist simply for our pleasure or recreation. Conservation efforts to preserve habitat are noble and necessary. As animal species face extinction we face up to hard reality that as creatures of the earth our time will come as well. A study of evolution and human development suggests that our time on this planet is but a small fraction of the time many everyday creatures have called earth home. One million years ago, there were no human beings as we know them today. Human history is only in the five digits. How much do we know that goes back further than 15,000 years?
Many controversies exist today where endangered species appear to be put in such high reverence that human concerns are overruled by laws, judicial rulings, and aggressive regulation. The water supply required to irrigate much of California’s most fertile farm land has been shutdown for threatening the life of some minnow like species. Meanwhile, along the shores of the lower Maryland western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, residents with shore front properties are facing severe erosion problems as their property falls off into the bay without structural reinforcement. Such efforts are being prohibited for the sake of an endangered species of beetle.
While the issues regarding animals, their inappropriate use in entertainment, exotic pets not suitable for human cohabitation, and attempts to protect endangered species, might not seem that important when we face serious issues like world terrorism, economic strife, and health care reform, we must address how we best live harmoniously with others with whom we share the planet. Surely, some of these debates have gone on since humans first developed self-reflective properties able to communicate with one another and discuss their differences with other beings on the planet. We now live in a world where the human footprint has set down in the most remote places on earth. Our presence exists on all continents and the effects of our behavior are universal. With our tremendous powers to control and harvest the earth come even more significant responsibilities.
We’ve only cited a few examples, provided even fewer answers, while raising many questions. That we question openly is perhaps the most important thing we can do aside from learning from how we can better treat all creatures great and small.
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