Why is animal euthanasia good for animals but bad for people?

Answer 1

It is okay to euthanize an animal but not a person because, well, most people would save a persons life before they save an animals. So, like animals can only be up for adoption for so long. After a certain amount of time, they do have to be euthanized. My point is, that in the world we live in, humans techniclly "out rank" animals. Also, there is a possibility that the chemicals in the euthanization shots could be WAY more harmful to humans, or not even effect them at all. Thank you for asking a very important question, and I hope you have faith in my answer!!! :)

Answer 2

There are only three situations that immediately come to mind where euthanizing an animal has distinct advantages.

1st- An animal has massive physical trauma and is highly unlikely to survive and is euthanized to end its suffering (see #2)

2nd- An animal has a chronic condition in which state it is in immense pain, and the owner feels it to be immoral to allow the animal to suffer any longer than absolutely necessary.

3rd- An animal has been proven to be highly aggressive (for example a dog that mauled a child). It will often be put down to avoid future acts of extreme aggression.

I am sure there are other reasons why an animal would be put down, but I believe these to be the main reasons.

Answer 3

Your question is something of a philosophical and ethical conundrum that doesn't have a "black or white" answer. I will answer it to the best of my ability and hope that it offers some insight.

Typically euthanasia is chosen for an animal when there is no hope of recovery, the animal is ill, aggressive, or elderly. The idea is to end the animal's suffering, which should translate similarly to the human sphere, but is wrought with complications as humans typically place exponentially more value on human life than that of any other living thing.

Some would say that euthanizing a suffering loved one would be "playing God" and gives us too much power over the life of another.

In regards to euthanizing criminals, however, we have the death penalty (at least here in California) with a lot of debate surrounding it. The death penalty is neither swift nor inexpensive, and doesn't serve as a deterrent for crime the way it is currently implemented. There is also a chance that an innocent person is put to death since our judicial system is imperfect.

Realistically, we sometimes have to "pull the plug" on loved ones, although there have been cases where family members battle other family members over this. This is explored in the Terri Schiavo case although that is passively allowing someone to die, not actively euthanizing them.

Dr. Kevorkian's "assisted suicides" raised a ton of ethical questions and sparked much debate as well, where people chose to be euthanized, many due to terminal illnesses.

This is one of those issues on which people should form opinions based on data and personal experience, not just emotions, even though it is an emotional issue.