[Mamzelle]

re: But there's another explanation: the perception that animals are nicer and more enjoyable than, and even morally superior to, humans.)))

This is interesting--and those who love animals more are superior to those who regard children as more significant.

I happen to love my pets as well as the next non-kooky person, but I'd never place them in value over the humans in my life.

Reminds me of a long debate on FR a few months back when a child stuck her hand into a meercat exhibit and her parents insisted that the zoo have the animal tested for rabies (which kills the poor cat.)

Oh, the hue and cry, the demands that the child and parents be beaten, flogged and tarred and feathered for the delectation of the animal lovers. Pointing out that meercats breed as efficiently as rats, are not endangered, didn't seem to matter. The Animal Lovers made quite a display--conspicious consumption meets conspicious exhibit of finer sensibility...

Disneyland hooey--

[HairOfTheDog]

My objection to the killing of the Meercats (ALL of them, because they did not know which one had bitten the kid) was that there was NO symptom, no history, no reason to even suspect rabies.

[grey_whiskers]

Reminds me of a long debate on FR a few months back when a child stuck her hand into a meercat exhibit and her parents insisted that the zoo have the animal tested for rabies (which kills the poor cat.)

The problem here is that the people involved should have exhibited the responsibility and common sense to NOT put their hand into the cage.

Dumb animals don't know any better.

Cheers!