[goldfinch]

I was given the job of getting rid of it. Which I did, in a typically cowardly way, by releasing it into our local park.

Once you take an animal into your house as a pet, you are responsible for caring for that animal in a humane way. If you cannot do that, it is your responsibility to find it another home, take it to an animal shelter, or have it euthanized. Releasing a domesticated animal to fend for itself is a cruel thing to do. The author of this article should be ashamed of himself. I have no problem with a law that forbids cruelty to animals...this one included.

No one forces you to get a pet. Once you do, you are responsible for its well-being and there is no excuse for neglect or cruelty.

[Greysard]

Releasing a domesticated animal to fend for itself is a cruel thing to do.

That hamster was anything but domesticated, that's why the author had to get rid of him. I am also unsure if killing the animal outright is better than letting it live as it was meant to be:

"In the wild, they burrow underground in the daylight to avoid being caught by predators. Their diet contains a variety of foods, including dried food, berries, nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables." (here).

This means that the hamster will be in his new burrow before you walk away, and will have a good chance of survival. It's not like parks in London are full of foxes.