Should we give animals more freedom?

Question

Is it really ok that we hold ourselves so hight above animals? We used to think slavery was ok, but today most agree that it was a dark time in our society.

What about animals? We imprison them in zoos, we keep them in tiny cages, we breed them for our own purposes, we sell them.......Is it arrogant that we concider ourselves so far above these creatures who share our planet? Is it arrogant to assume these creatures were created for our entertainment/use?

Just some thoughts... Please, respect animals, just because they are unable to defend themselves, does not make excuse to abuse them.

Answer 1

Yes. While keeping common domesticated animals is fine in my eyes as long as you take care of them well, keeping endangered animals or animals at risk in a home or zoo (If its at a zoo they should start a re-introduction program) is just wrong in my eyes. Life is life, and humans ARE animals just like them. Humans have a rather selfish view of life, counting themselves as more valuable then creatures whose DNA is sometimes almost the same (Chimps for example.) I think in the end, animals should have more freedom, there are 6 billion of us, and many of them are going extinct. Besides, when we are all dead, wouldnt it be nice if there were still animals around?

Answer 2

wait a minute. Most animals in zoos were put there because they couldnt be released in the wild or were born in a zoo which could of imprinted them. Most animals that were first out in zoos were orphans or albinos that wouldnt be able to survive on thier own in the wild. we also have zoos for educating the public. The more the public is aware of these amazing creatures the more they will want to help preserve thier habitat. And most zoos now, especially the larger ones, arent just cages that cramp the animals up. Most are like tiny utopias for the animals. There are some zoos that do need better facilities for thier animals but still those animals that live in the zoo have higher life spans and dont have the constant worry of predators. They also recieve medical treatment that helps them in whatever ailment that might arise.

I dont agree with people breeding dogs or "puppy farms". That is something that needs to be changed. I think it does have a lot to do with the fact that most people think since they are bipedal they somehow are so much better than other animals so yeh there is an arrogancy factor.

Answer 3

The vast majority of people do not abuse animals. The vast majority of animals kept by humans are not abused. Humans abuse humans more than they abuse anything else.

You only have 4000 years of Judo-Christan philosophy to change. So good luck.

Yes, we humans are in many ways way way above other animals. Respect for self and your fellow man/woman is where respect for all living things begin. To elevate an animal above a human is basically a flaw in your perception of care and loving. You cant care for or love anything until you take care of your own first.

Creatures where not created. Life on this planet evolved. At one time there was nothing but Nature. All living things had one basic drive, too survive.

Animals can and do defend themselves. It is illogical to assume they don't or cant.

I am sure your thoughts are of all the soft fuzzy cuddly critters. I doubt seriously you feel the same about ticks, spiders, lice, bacteria, protozoans as you do about deer, dogs, cats and bunny rabbits.

Answer 4

I don't think it's really ok. And I don't think it's very smart. We humans have made very significant changes to our environment over much of our planet. We have changed the environment so that many, many animals have become extinct, or have severely reduced habitat. We have very little knowledge of the chain reactions that occur when we do these things. The connections between all the living things are important. We are ignorant of them and act as though not knowing makes them unimportant!

Today I saw a slug eating a mushroom. The next time I see a mushroom that looks as though something has eaten the inside, I will think that's exactly what happened.

Answer 5

O.Gs

I'm cut shourt on time but I'll come back to this one for now here http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=As09T0EKw7HF6Yf3vQQHnWLty6IX?qid=20070830132415AAz0wIt

the fact s PETA driven people as well as people that hold their selves as most impotent are both wrong and arrogance to only thing one way not considering others ways is one of th few things that makes me mad. I'm not talking about your question but about the movies and videos people put to make you think something and even the evil used of the bible to get you to think what they do. the thing is that the only example people can use is that whails are one of the only animals that live longer in the wild. the illegal pet trade is being cracked down on heavily but reruns on shows don't account for time that has passed. now the selfenisss thing i correct and needs to be worked on but people need to think about HOW to go about it in the right way. and for the people that don't like the answers just because they don't think the same way WHY BOTHER PUTTING YOU QUESTION OF OPINION ON YAHOO IN THE FIRST PLACE

Answer 6

Human beings take it upon themselves to use anything for themselves in a selfish manner.
It is extremily miserable and morbid to think about.

Next time you hear a dog bark, count and wiat how long it takes before someone answers it by giving it what it needs, like food, a walk etc.

I averidged about 3.5 hours, (aproximatly 620 times longer than it would take to register a humans needs).

Did you know that human being have been breeding them for 40,000 years and this shows that they still haven't learned how to behave with them.

Just goes to prove we are humans and they are something else.
I would rather let it stay that way!

Answer 7

Why should be put ourselves above other animals? Because of our ability to screw up the planet to a degree far greater tha other species.

Answer 8

I believe the Bible tells us that God gave us dominion over all the animals. Therefore, we are above them and can do anything we want with them.

Answer 9

Amen!!!

Answer 10

if you are talking about terrorist animals, No.