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There are some animals that we as a society have deemed worthy of protection. It seems vets and pet stores generally recommend feeding rodents to snakes. This is true just as small fish have to be fed to larger fish. As far as the chickens, we may need or eat them for food, but it is important to keep them healthy and in good living conditions until their deaths. This has to be done to keep nature in balance. However, I would argue that if people were deliberately purchasing mice, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, and chickens and deliberately absuing or raising them in horrible conditions, they could be accused of animal cruelty. Dogs, cats, ferrets, lions, tigers, cougars, elephants, penguins, seals, sea lions, and more are considered animals worthy of protection. Killing them really serves no purpose, and they certainly are able to show some emotions comparable to those of humans. These would be such things as excitement, anger, sadness, anxiety, and loyalty. We could even argue some dogs appear to demonstrate love. That is up to personal opinion, but I feel at least one of my dogs does. Fighting dogs is definitely cruelty to the dogs. I read a recent article on it and the cruelty to the dogs. They fight until they are near death or too injured to go on. They know no better. Dogs like that are deliberately made aggressive and will be aggressive and a danger to other people.

"The injuries inflicted and sustained by dogs participating in dogfights are frequently severe, even fatal. The American pit bull terriers used in the majority of these fights have been specifically bred and trained for fighting and are unrelenting in their attempts to overcome their opponents. With their extremely powerful jaws, they are able to inflict severe bruising, deep puncture wounds, and broken bones.

Dogs used in these events often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion, or infection hours or even days after the fight. Other animals are often sacrificed as well. Some owners train their dogs for fights using smaller animals such as cats, rabbits, or small dogs. These "bait" animals are often stolen pets or animals obtained through "free to good home" advertisements."

SNIP

"Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people. Children are especially at risk, because their small size may cause a fighting dog to perceive a child as another animal."

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/animal_fighting_the_final_round/dogfighting_fact_sheet/

We have duty and power over these animals to treat them well, and it is wrong to abuse it. Animals may be property, but they are not like a computer or a sofa. They are living, breathing, feeling creatures. We certainly don't need to treat them like the Chicoms.

"While those who abuse people also are likely to abuse animals, the reverse is true as well. Research indicates those who abuse animals are far more likely to commit acts of violence against people."

SNIP

"The Latham Foundation cites nine common situations in which this lack of control translates into animal abuse:

To control an animal's behavior. Cruel or excessive punishment is often used in an attempt to modify a pet's behavior, or to eliminate unwanted behaviors. In many cases, correction is administered impulsively rather than as part of any consistent training effort.

To retaliate for perceived wrong. Those who seek retaliation or revenge often believe an animal misbehaved "deliberately" or "out of spite." The perpetrator takes satisfaction in "getting back at" the pet and "making it pay."

To retaliate against another person. An abuser wishes to inflict pain and suffering upon a human victim, and does so by inflicting harm upon a beloved pet. Batters may use threats or retaliation against a pet to control the behavior of a spouse, partner or child.

Out of prejudice against a species or breed. Some perpetrators abuse because the "hate cats" or "hate dogs," or hate a particular breed. In some cases, this is based upon cultural or social biases.

To express aggression through an animal. Some abusers train animals to attack other animals or even humans. In this case, the abuser is literally using an animal as a weapon to inflict harm and vent anger.

To enhance one's own sense of, or experience with, aggressiveness. For some, abusing animals provides a sense of strength and power. For others, it's a way of "training" aggressive skills and, in many cases, "working up to" acts of violence against humans. In gangs or cults, members may be required to demonstrate their commitment and aggression by killing or maiming animals.

To shock, amuse or show off. Some perpetrators enjoy demonstrating their willingness to hurt animals-to demonstrate how "tough' they are or because it amuses them and their friends.

To express displaced hostility. A person who cannot lash out against an abuser may, instead, displace that anger onto a more vulnerable target, such as a pet.

Out of sadism. In some cases, perpetrators commit acts of cruelty simply because they derive pleasure from the pain, suffering or death of the victim."

http://www.geocities.com/hrhangell/article2.html

You make some valid points, but we are still talking about animals. I've seen people go to jail longer for animal cruelty than others go to jail for hurting people. Around here that usually happens when people have a sickly horse they can't afford to take to the vet. The judge that usually handles these cases around here just loves horses. I'm a public defender and I'm in court all the time and I've seen this happen several times. To me that's just crazy. Fine these people, take their animals, forbid them from keeping animals, but save the jail space for people who are a threat to humans.

I'm not sure that I agree completely with the notion that some animals are more worthy of protection that others. I understand that people feel that way, but I think that's kind of silly. In India cows are sacred and they roam the streets. In some countries dogs are food, and there are even places where rats are sacred. And ferrets, well I don't think there is any consensus in this country that they are more deserving of protection than other animals. I think it's more of akin to something like beauty being in the eye of the beholder.

I do not believe in being unnecessarily cruel to animals. I think that is wrong. I have a dog that I love, and we have two cats that I could do without, but I'd certainly never be cruel to them. There is a difference though to me in being cruel for the sake of being cruel, and acts that may seem cruel but are done for some legitimate purpose. Personally, I would think that feeding a small critter to a pet snake would be a legitimate purpose, regardless of what type of animal it is. Snakes eat live animals. That's what you feed them. Bunnies, puppies, ferrets, they all seem like fair game to me.

And I think you are a little bit reality challenged in your notions of how nice we are to the animals you eat. Do you ever eat veal? Do you know that comes from baby calves that are confined to the extent that they can never have room to even turn around? And as for chickens and it being "important to keep them healthy and in good living conditions until their deaths," you're cracking me up with that. I'm from an area where the poultry business is king and if you think chickens are raised in healthy and good living conditions you are definitely reality challenged. Broiler chickens live a horrible six weeks of life before being hung by their ankles and having their throats slit and then quickly being dunked into a vat of scalding water to remove the feathers, often when they are still alive and conscious. I started to give you a chronicle of the life of the average broiler chicken and egg laying hen, but it was going on too long so I deleted it. Suffice it to say that plenty of awful things happen to these animals. If you have a big heart and a great love for all animals, you'd probably cry your eyes out if you knew what these poor widdle chickies have to endure. I'll spare you that.