Dozens of Animals Killed, Thousands of Human Beings Killed

Like many other people, I was upset by what happened to the exotic and wild animals in Ohio – the ones that were being kept by that guy who killed himself after letting dozens of them out to roam free in the middle of Ohio. I understand why they were shot. I was upset at the guy who put those animals into that situation to begin with, and put people at risk.

The Los Angeles Times ran a couple of letters on the issue.

Penelope Burley of Camarillo wrote:

That so many rare and innocent creatures had to be slaughtered is a travesty. The global extinction of so many of these species is rapid enough without tragedies like this adding to their alarming demise.

This country is among the worst of developed nations regarding animal protection. We are either too arrogant or too naive to see the need for change.

Karen Dawn of Pacific Palisades wrote:

People distressed by the photos of animal carcasses in Ohio might take at least slight comfort in knowing that the animals are surely better off now than they were for the last few years living pathetic lives locked in cages.

Those headed for the zoo may or may not have half-decent existences, but hundreds of gentle herbivores will live and die in the horror of the factory farming system in order to become their food.

Now, I'm not in favor of someone torturing animals for pleasure, or inflicting pain on them for no good reason, if for no other reason than that is an indicator of being a sociopath who may be a threat to human beings. I enjoy petting, scratching, and playing with animals for their own pleasure, and if that benefits me (lower blood pressure, etc.), then so be it.

But I do not believe animals have rights anywhere close to the rights human beings have, and I generally oppose pretending otherwise in the law. If extinction is the worry, private ownership of animals and the ability to use them or sell them for profit would be the surest way to boost their numbers.

I do not know Ms. Dawn or Ms. Burley, but like with so many others who take the time to express concern for protecting the lives of animals, I have to wonder if they've put even as much effort into protecting the lives of human beings? I can't marshal stronger emotions over the mistreatment and killing of animals while someone is legally protected and even paid by taxpayers to slaughter innocent human beings, often in painful ways (abortion). My prevailing priority is human life. If Ms. Dawn and Ms. Burley do have more concern for human beings than these animals, then I applaud them. But I urge everyone to have sensible priorities. Would you put as much effort into encouraging a woman to put her child up for adoption rather than having it ripped apart and sucked out of her womb as you would trying to get your legislator to pass new legal protections for animals?