With all of the recent press on the subject of how screw-ups in the adminstration of the "cocktail" of drugs used to execute prisoners can result in unintended pain, I am surprised that more has not been said (or asked) about how this execution process compares with the (lethal injection) process used to euthanize pets and animals. I have been present when a pet has been put down. My impression is that the animal experiences virtually nothing. They seem to literally "melt" away instantly. If this is the case, it would seem that the serum used on pets (or something similar) would be the serum of choice for prison executions. I am sure that there is good reason as to why death by lethal injection is more complicated in the case of humans. If so, I would like to understand why.
On the other hand, if it is possible that animals may only appear to "melt away" when being euthanized (while possibly experiencing something less "humane"), then I would like to be aware of this too.
2006-10-18 14:33:14 · 6 answers · asked by Bob H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
I don't think there is any difference. Getting "put to sleep" is a quick and painless way to die.
2006-10-18 14:45:59 · answer #1 · answered by Nels 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
“I really don't care if it's painless or not, sorry”. I agree with this. Some of these crimes are so horrific that any small amount of pain they may receive can't compare to the victim's and their family's suffer. I think anyone who is sentenced with life in prison might as well get the death penalty because they are just a waste of government money. Some of them should have been giving the death penalty anyway. Such as a story I read early from 1987 about two boys, 4 and 6, that were abused by their mother and her boyfriend. They starved them. They were burned with cigarettes and irons. One of the boy's legs was dunked in boiling water. They were stuck with pins and needles as well as beaten with a wide variety of objects. At night they would tie a cord around the 4-year-olds legs and hang him upside down in the closet, they would stuff a rag in his mouth and tape potato peeling to his eyes. One morning when they took him down he was so dehydrated he couldn't even walk when he begged for water the man kicked him in the head and he died. All they got was life in prison! I think they deserved much worse then that!
I don't think an animal should be put down just because it hurt someone. If it kills someone that is understandable. But animals don't know any better and sometimes they do it out of self defense. I always wondered how they knew if it hurt or not, it's not like they could bring it back and ask if that hurt. I'm sure there is some answer behind it though. I think the procedures may differ because of the fact medicines effect humans and animals differently. Such as aspirin will kill a cat, a dog can take a small dose, human normal dose, and it does nothing for a horse. I don't really understand why lethal ejection has to be so complicated though. I would think there would be a more simple way of killing a person instantly.
2006-10-18 15:41:46 · answer #2 · answered by Gypsy Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well the whole point of lethal injection is that it is done in a manner which eliminates pain. however there have been several screwups. im not sure if there is a uniform standard in the delivery of the drugs but i know some states have machines that actually do the job, the executioner just connects the tubes with the poisons and operates the machine.
a few times the machine screwed up. if my memory serves me correctly the first injection puts the person to sleep, the 2nd paralyzes the muscles, and the 3rd stops the heart. however in some cases the first drug didn't work quite as well as hoped and the 2nd drug paralyzed the person and they suffered lots of pain. im sure theres a simpler way of running this process but i dont know too much about it.
2006-10-18 14:47:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"... by lethal injection (apparently) so complex?" Because of the passion of a few to preserve life - even of the worse "humans" - thus preventing the killing of any human, (well if they are human I mean) how about prisoner. So if there is a loop hole - they'll do their best to stop justice.
This is my thoughts for beyond a doubt animals that have killed children, (or hurt them). The cases against adults can take the time to ensure real justice is delivered. Anyone that hurts children (or religious people, monks, nuns,etc.) no one will miss.
My thoughts are to remove child killers and molesters from this planet, so I really don't care if it's painless or not, sorry.
2006-10-18 14:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I agree with you that this is a complex question. I was there when my cat (19 with cancer) was put down. The vet gave him a shot to knock him out & then another to stop his heart. To take this discussion a step further here in FL we had a case a little while back concerning Terry Shivo. She was in & out of a coma for a number of years (but still responded to people in the room). Her husband wanted to remove her feeding tube & her parents fought it, but the husband finally won. This starved her to death. Wouldn't a couple of shots have been more humane?
2006-10-18 15:19:04 · answer #5 · answered by shermynewstart 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had my face pressed against on my dog's face when he was put to sleep. He was alive one second, and gone the next. I don't believe he was in any pain caused by the euthanasia procedure, and I was actually comforted to know that he would be in pain no more.
2006-10-18 14:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by WHITE TRASH ARMENIAN 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋