In Courtney's blog, she talks about how living is in the best interest of an animal and, if it is killed, we are taking away its right to live and enjoy life. Frederike Kaldewaij believes animals shouldn't be killed or harmed by human beings since this would take away their ability to have a fulfilling life. Killing for food, fur, or leather can not be justified, according to Kaldewaij. "Death is harmful because it thwarts an individual's desire to stay alive and other desires he or she may have for the future," states Kaldewaji. She believes all lives are instrumentally valued. Courtney then talks about euthanasia and how it effects animals who are suffering and even those who are not. Some animals are euthanized because they are seriously ill and others only because shelters are too crowded. She talks about her own experiences of having to put past pets to sleep and then asks, "If an animal is suffering (no matter if they are a pet or not), is euthanizing them in their best interests, even when they are young, or is it cutting a life short?"
I worked at a veterinary clinic for two years and part of my job was to assist the veterinary technician with euthanasias. I got to see the different reactions of the family members who owned the dog or cat that was being put to sleep. Most families were devastated; they only put their animals to sleep because they did not want to have their animals suffer and they didn't think there was any other way. One family in particular owned a dog named Savita who had leukemia. She was about twelve years old and they did all they could to save her. They brought her to the vets at least twice a week for treatment. I saw that dog suffer. She would not eat. She could not get up. She would just go to the bathroom in her cage because she didn't know what else to do. The family and the dog fought and fought for her life but nothing could be done. Finally, after quite a few years of the endless battle of leukemia, they put her to sleep.
I think it is in the best interest of the animal to be put out of its misery and suffering. If nothing can be done to save the animal or stop it from being in pain, then there is nothing wrong with euthanasia. It is a painless and quick way to stop an animal from suffering, if there is no foreseen end to said suffering. I think age does matter when it comes to deciding whether to put an animal to sleep or not. If it is old and sick but has lived a fulfilling life, as long as there truly is no known solution to the suffering, euthanizing the animal is the right thing to do. If the animal is young, it's much harder to make such a decision because it deserves life. But, nothing and no one should have to suffer, plain and simple.
Now, I also saw many people abandon their pets or want them to be put to sleep simply because they could no longer care for the pet. Sometimes owners would move or have children and they felt like they couldn't handle their animals any longer. If the owners asked the vet to euthanize their pet for this reason, the veterinarian would refuse but offer to take the animal into his care so he can find him or her a family that did have time and care for the pet. Under some circumstances, euthanasia is truly whats right no matter if the animal is old or young (only if it is to stop an animal from suffering) but in other instances, like if a family just does not want their pets anymore, then it should not be done. Taking a life, even if its for the most ethical reason, should be thought out and decided carefully. As long as it's painless, quick, and safe, then it is justifiable.
My question to you is: In the reading (page 62), Kaldewaij states, "There do not seem to be good reasons to assume that the harm that death causes animals that are kept for food production is much less serious than the human harm of death." Do you think many people hold this view (why or why not?) and how do you feel about it?
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