interesting debate topic

[reptilesalonica]

Crocs don't go hear them as they know they will be done for if they mess with an adult hippo.

That's why humans don't do the same thing unless they are armed
Lions can kill a small elephant but 5 adult elephants can kill an adult lion...
It goes with the power...Humans has another kind of power that keeps them on top...brain.
~Greg~

[Aaron_S]

what are you saying? Vegetarians are wrong in what they do?

[lordkovacs]

we had this debate with feeding cats...and I assume this will go much the same way.

[Aaron_S]

Ahhh it isn't brains anymore..it is gunpowder. Without it we would be at the bottom of the food chain.

This has gotten off topic lol

[reptilesalonica]

not only gunpowder, we use our brain to make cars to run faster, to escape from other creatures that run faster than us. We can light up a fire, we can build something in a higher level to prevent a danger. We can make a bridge to go somewhere...we do so many things by using our brain...Yes, it went off topic
I got to go now...cya 2morrow.
~Greg~

[Aaron_S]

Ok does anybody else want to get back on topic of this? about snakes eating unwated puppies or kittens? I feel like debating

[MouseKilla]

Alright, fine. Just for fun I will argue a point that I don't even believe in (probably). I will defend the position that urban animal control vehicles should all be re-routed to willing large reptile owners houses for the purpose of feeding stray cats and dogs to their animals. I will argue that it will save money and prevent the spread of disease. I think that's provocative enough for now but I'm sure I can come up with more. Ok, your turn, tell me I'm wrong and why. GO! LOL!

[Aaron_S]

well then this is taking the other side aswell lol.

That is not a good thing. These are furry little creatures that are above reptiles and deserve to have a chance at adoption. To have a loving family like you love your giant reptiles. Is it fair to end an animals life without evening giving it a chance to have one?

[Gary D.]

Back on topic here. To quote (heck I don't remember who)" we will only save what we love, we will only love what we understand, and we only understand what we have been taught."

I see the public out cry based on two points.
First, simply look towards the media and entertainment industry to see how the average population view the world. A good example is our favourite whipping boy, fear factor. The ignorant masses do not view reptiles to have much more worth than insects. Even the Calgary zoo on a recent radio commercial for Destination Africa said "all the animals and reptiles too". As long as society does not understand reptiles it will place less value on them.

Second. Man kind have had a close relationship with dogs and cats since before recorded history , and as such we have taken them out of the food chain and anthropomorphisized them into our place on the food chain. The thought of feeding an animal which we view as an equal an animal we view as a lower life form is deemed barbaric.

The arguement "they were going to die anyway, why not introduce the base protiens and amino acids back into the food chain where they can be useful" is an arguement based on logic. Where as the "that's inhumane " camp bases it's arguement in psychology and emotion.

GD

PS And all married men know that you can not argue emotion with logic and win, no matter how right you are. hehe.

[Aaron_S]

First thing Gary do not say Fear factor or any other show like that. I am pretty sure they see any of these forums bad mouth them they start lawsuits saying the site slandered them.

Now to the topic at hand....

I see you are correct with the logic vs. emotion and in the world today emotion wins. Even tho logic is the better way in this discussion.

THe media puts a lot of fear into people and show them reptiles are evil and their lives are not to be valued. I just think it would be better if the circle of life just continued on like it should. No exceptions for dogs,cats or even humans.

[Colonel SB]

I have to agree with Baz on this one. So this guy should have expected that reaction.

[DarkHunter]

wow...intresting topic...
Well...ill put in my $0.02...I agree with most of you by saying if the puppy was going to die either way...feeding it to something is alot better then putting it 6ft under...i mean if a snake can benifit from it, why not? I totaly disagree with making students watch this, as it could be very disturbing to people. I know adults that would have a hard time watching this let alone younger children!!

[jay76]

Hmmmm, well, seeing as my father made me dispose of a few litters of kittens we couldn't get rid of any other way, I'd say I'm biased towards one end of the argument. Before anyone starts calling me a monster or anything keep in mind that when you live on a farm things are different than when you find a litter of kittens in a townhouse. There's nothing wrong with reusing the bodies (maybe keeping them out of hotdogs is a good thing???) but to do it in a classroom isn't the brightest idea. Had they been euthanized before hand it still wouldn't be right, since depending on age some kids still don't understand (and wait for poochie to 'wake up').

With the sentiments attached to "man's best friends" if it's going to be done it shouldn't be in public. So yeah I'm all for it. Just remember to take the collars off first....

[MouseKilla]

Hmm ok well what if it was a human baby that was going to be aborted anyway? There, that should stir the pot. Now who wants to say that all forms of life are equal? Baby, rat it's all the same right?

Aaron,
It's not just logic vs. emotion, it's a moral question. That's why it's not something that is about things science can measure like weight or even intellegence, it's about right and wrong. The reason people get angry about this question is that it is obvious that a higher form of life than is necessary is being killed for food. It's easy to see that it's wrong to kill cats and dogs when rats and mice are available. Even though human flesh is likely very nutritious we don't eat the dead now do we? Do you wonder why not??? Does the fact that they're already dead change anything? Not unless your plane has crashed in the Andes. Which reminds me, I ate a flight attendant once, but she survived. LOL! snoogins!

[LISA127]

We had this debate before, only concerning kittens instead of puppies.
Therefore, all I am going to contribute to this is -
I have always been a reptile lover, always have been, always will be. However, when this topic is brought up is the only time I am ashamed to be classified with other reptile lovers.