Imagine that a pigeon was hit by a car and is now dying on the ground. You can see that it's suffering and it will die a slow and painful death. Is it morally correct to kill the pigeon to free it from its torment?
My question concerns mercy killing in the case of animals that cannot be saved.
Kocicka
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Well, by my personal morals, I would say yes. If you can't save the pigeon, I would say it is merciful to end the pigeon's suffering.
But you have to keep in mind, as with most philosophies, it is hard to find the beginning and end. Life is suffering, so at what point do we have the right to take away life? Like with the whole controversy about assisted suicide for terminally ill people or those in pain...
For this case, my opinion would be perfectly clear - to relieve the suffering of the pigeon. But beyond, it is very difficult to decide what to choose.
Brian
It depends on the situation of course, but in this case going by literals, I think I'd have a hard time arguing a reason to let a dying animal suffer for no reason. At the same time, I still struggle with this question with human beings though.
?
When highjackers, for example, plot to kill inocent people to prove a point or belief that is not shared by everyone ie: In a country that is not theirs ie:the Twin Towers, there will be a change of heart and peace will not be that easy to find. Everyone in the whole world is susceptible to this type of threat, therefore, people will die to protect and or bring about change and this is now more easily excepted. It is not morally correct.
Anonymous
I worked at a vet clinic for several years.
I remember an incident when a mentally-ill elderly woman brought in a sick kitten. In its abdomen was a gaping hole where the flesh had been eaten away by bacteria. Inside the abdominal cavity were maggots.
She refused to have it put to sleep. I was half-tempted to wring its neck in the back room and then tell her it had died when we were flushing out the wound.
I'm sorry, but it was pure evil to take that suffering kitten home to "comfort it" as it lay dying in agony.
There was no way it could have survived.
Anonymous
I have had expireience when a pigeon attacked by a cat,
was killed by my neighbor with a shovel,
I was ten, my neice was 9.
he cut the head off and buried it.
I would probaly so it wouldn't be in pain.