Man kills dog, gets 3 years.

[Blaze]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21492378/?GT1=10450

Wow.

[CrAz3D]

A guy that killed a friend (drunk driver w/no insurance or license hit my friend who wasn't wearing a seat belt) got 6 yrs & was out after 2.



I'm not sure if I have an issue with the dude getting 3 years or not.  I mean it was only a dog...but I love dogs.  Now if it was a cat...........

[BigAznDaddy]

wow so a guy kills a dog and get 3 years so how about the vietnamese who kill dogs everyday when they eat them?

[CrAz3D]

Yeah, this dude threw the puppy off a balcony   Not the same.  Now if he had shot the puppy and ate it...COMPLETELY different story

[Assault]

wow so a guy kills a dog and get 3 years so how about the vietnamese who kill dogs everyday when they eat them?

Are we in Vietname? Different country, different laws. Fido hit the pavement on this one, literally.

[Newby]

Fuck him. Throw him in for longer. Sick sadistic bastard.

[Assault]

This guy gets 3 years, which will most likely be reduced then put on probation, for killing a dog...
While Michael Vick recieved a possible 1 - 5 year sentence and may not serve a minute.

 

[AntiVirus]

What a fucking bastard... killing an animal for no reason, regardless of the animal, is wrong.  Stupid fucker.

[Sidoh]

What a fucking bastard... killing an animal for no reason, regardless of the animal, is wrong.  Stupid fucker.

While I tend to agree that what he did was wrong, I think a three year sentence is absolutely ridiculous.

[AntiVirus]

What a fucking bastard... killing an animal for no reason, regardless of the animal, is wrong.  Stupid fucker.

While I tend to agree that what he did was wrong, I think a three year sentence is absolutely ridiculous.

I disagree.  People shouldn't kill animals just for the hell of it.  To me, it's almost as bad as killing another Human. 

[ZeroX]

What a fucking bastard... killing an animal for no reason, regardless of the animal, is wrong.  Stupid fucker.

While I tend to agree that what he did was wrong, I think a three year sentence is absolutely ridiculous.

I disagree.  People shouldn't kill animals just for the hell of it.  To me, it's almost as bad as killing another Human. 

Humans don't taste good though =[

[Assault]

har har har...

Everything tastes like chicken!

[Falcon]

People kill animals all the time, why not dogs?

[Assault]

I get the feeling AntiVirus is a member of PETA.

[iago]

People kill animals all the time, why not dogs?

Exactly what I was going to say.

Westerners have really weird priorities when it's ok to kill certain animals, bad to kill others, and extremely bad to kill people. If you ask me, a life is, essentially, a life.

And no, I'm not a member of PETA, although I do believe in ethical treatment of animals.

[Sidoh]

I disagree.  People shouldn't kill animals just for the hell of it.  To me, it's almost as bad as killing another Human. 

That's exactly what I disagree with.  To me, killing an animal is offensive, bad and certainly deserves some punishment, but 3 years is ridiculous.

Exactly what I was going to say.

Westerners have really weird priorities when it's ok to kill certain animals, bad to kill others, and extremely bad to kill people. If you ask me, a life is, essentially, a life.

And no, I'm not a member of PETA, although I do believe in ethical treatment of animals.

I totally agree.  I don't see the difference between killing a cow and killing a dog. :\

[iago]

That's exactly what I disagree with.  To me, killing an animal is offensive, bad and certainly deserves some punishment, but 3 years is ridiculous.

But three years would be short for killing a human baby.

[Sidoh]

But three years would be short for killing a human baby.

I think that's pretty agreeable.  I realize there are a considerable number of people who would object, but wouldn't you agree that the majority of humans believe that killing another human is more offensive than killing a single animal?  I mean, if you're going to consider all life sacred (I'm reusing your example here), how do you justify killing insects that pester you?

[iago]

But three years would be short for killing a human baby.

I think that's pretty agreeable.  I realize there are a considerable number of people who would object, but wouldn't you agree that the majority of humans believe that killing another human is more offensive than killing a single animal?  I mean, if you're going to consider all life sacred (I'm reusing your example here), how do you justify killing insects that pester you?

Insects suck.

I guess it falls back on the wishy-washy concept, that, whenever possible and practical, lives (be they human or animal) should not be taken. That's not quite good enough to be a law, though, so I don't know.

[Rule]

3 years is only ridiculous in the sense that it's a ridiculously light sentence.  Abusing a sentient life in that way is worse than rape or other crimes everyone on this board would unanimously decide worthy of far greater than 3 years.  The argument that human life is >>> other life because you've been conditioned to feel that way in an human society uses a rather weak metric.

[effectionate]

We are at the top of the food chain, kill what ever the fuck we want

[Sidoh]

3 years is only ridiculous in the sense that it's a ridiculously light sentence.  Abusing a sentient life in that way is worse than rape or other crimes everyone on this board would unanimously decide worthy of far greater than 3 years.  The argument that human life is >>> other life because you've been conditioned to feel that way in an human society uses a rather weak metric.

I'm still not convinced that there isn't a difference.  I honestly don't want to get into it since I think it's a very subjective argument, but I suppose there are a few surface questions I can ask without turning this into a heated debate.

You mean directly, I take it?  Does using products which cause animals harm or discomfort immediately become immoral when you adopt this perspective?  Are you a vegetarian/vegan, out of curiosity?

[Hell-Lord]

“I’ve got to send a message to all dog lovers that we are going to protect that interest in our courtrooms,” Cottingham said.

Thats exactly why he deserves it and maybe longer, no one can be sure he won't do it again and we need to be sure.

[rabbit]

The difference is that a puppy curls up in bed with you, plays with you, and does all sorts of things, while cows stand around re-eating grass and crapping.

[iago]

The difference is that a puppy curls up in bed with you, plays with you, and does all sorts of things, while cows stand around re-eating grass and crapping.

Ah, so you only care less about cows because you don't have an emotional attachment to them. Interesting!

[iago]

3 years is only ridiculous in the sense that it's a ridiculously light sentence.  Abusing a sentient life in that way is worse than rape or other crimes everyone on this board would unanimously decide worthy of far greater than 3 years.  The argument that human life is >>> other life because you've been conditioned to feel that way in an human society uses a rather weak metric.

I tend to agree with you. However, the point raised earlier in this thread is a good one: what about killing bugs? eg, swatting mosquitoes and stepping on ants?

There has to be a cut off point, a line drawn in the sand that isn't too arbitrary. But hell if I know where that should be.

[rabbit]

The difference is that a puppy curls up in bed with you, plays with you, and does all sorts of things, while cows stand around re-eating grass and crapping.

Ah, so you only care less about cows because you don't have an emotional attachment to them. Interesting!

Pretty much, yes.

[AntiVirus]

I get the feeling AntiVirus is a member of PETA.

Uhh.. never.  I have no problem having animals killed for food and I am nowhere near as extreme as PETA members.  I wouldn't go up to someone wearing a fur coat and throw paint on them and then tell them to go to Hell.

I just believe it is wrong for someone to just go around killing animals for no reason and I believe they should be punished for doing so, regardless if it is a dog or not.  Even if they just go and start shooting dear just for fun, I think that's wrong.  It's a waste and completely immoral, IMO.

Doesn't this show that this particular person has some mental problems?  He can easily throw a puppy off a balcony, so what makes us think he couldn't do that again to a human baby?

[iago]

Uhh.. never.  I have no problem having animals killed for food and I am nowhere near as extreme as PETA members.  I wouldn't go up to someone wearing a fur coat and throw paint on them and then tell them to go to Hell.

yeah, and it's more fun to do that to people wearing wool sweaters (or silk underwear) anyways. They wouldn't expect it!

[Sidoh]

3 years is only ridiculous in the sense that it's a ridiculously light sentence.  Abusing a sentient life in that way is worse than rape or other crimes everyone on this board would unanimously decide worthy of far greater than 3 years.  The argument that human life is >>> other life because you've been conditioned to feel that way in an human society uses a rather weak metric.

I tend to agree with you. However, the point raised earlier in this thread is a good one: what about killing bugs? eg, swatting mosquitoes and stepping on ants?

There has to be a cut off point, a line drawn in the sand that isn't too arbitrary. But hell if I know where that should be.

As far as I know, it has to be arbitrary.  It's sort of like the whole abortion argument.  When life begins is pretty opinionated.

[Falcon]

The difference is that a puppy curls up in bed with you, plays with you, and does all sorts of things, while cows stand around re-eating grass and crapping.

Does that apply to all dogs? What about German shepards and pitbulls? Would the situation be different if it was one of those?

[CrAz3D]

The difference is that a puppy curls up in bed with you, plays with you, and does all sorts of things, while cows stand around re-eating grass and crapping.

Does that apply to all dogs? What about German shepards and pitbulls? Would the situation be different if it was one of those?

Yeah it does.  Dogs are awesome, unless you raise them to suck .
Hell, my parents have a big chow/God only knows what mutt dog that is about 80lbs and slept with me on my bed sometime.

Our 60lbs black lab sleeps with my sometimes.

[Armin]

While killing an animal without good reason is morally wrong, you have to look at intent. This guy didn't wake up one day and decide he wanted to throw a puppy off 3 stories to watch it splat on the ground. He got angry and did something he regretted. Considering the article said nothing of past offenses related to the charge, I'd assume it's not a very serious issue for him, so I'd say a year of probation and anger management should suffice.

[iago]

For a human, that would be Murder 2.

[CrAz3D]

For a human, that would be Murder 2.

It'd probably be manslaughter

[Armin]

For a human, that would be Murder 2.

Under the circumstances, I think it'd be a lot closer to homicide.

Murder is generally distinguished from other forms of homicide by the elements of malice, aforethought, and the lack of justification.

In certain cases, homicide isn't even a crime.

[CrAz3D]

For a human, that would be Murder 2.

Under the circumstances, I think it'd be a lot closer to homicide.

Homicide isn't a crime...it's just the title for killing a dude.




ANYHOW

[Armin]

For a human, that would be Murder 2.

Under the circumstances, I think it'd be a lot closer to homicide.

Homicide isn't a crime...it's just the title for killing a dude.




ANYHOW

I guess I meant a justifiable homicide by means of it being a crime of passion.

[CrAz3D]

Maybe if the puppy raped the girl...lol

[iago]

But to look at an equivalent scenario, what if he'd thrown a baby out a window? Would it be considered a "crime of passion", and would people be complaining that the 3-year sentence is too long?

[Armin]

Maybe if the puppy raped the girl...lol

The idea of a crime of passion, in which death results in the "heat of the moment," is now considered a part of the defense of "provocation" against a charge of murder. This recognizes that all individuals may suddenly and unexpectedly lose control when words are spoken or events occur

But to look at an equivalent scenario, what if he'd thrown a baby out a window? Would it be considered a "crime of passion", and would people be complaining that the 3-year sentence is too long?

Considering puppies have neither the ambitious potentials nor life expectancy a baby does, it's not equivalent. You can think of it as comparing the death of a retired 60 year old man who has 20 years left to live and the death of a newborn baby. Life is life, and preserving it in any case is an important issue, but to consider it as an equivalent to a baby is to take it to another extreme.

[iago]

Considering puppies have neither the ambitious potentials nor life expectancy a baby does, it's not equivalent. You can think of it as comparing the death of a retired 60 year old man who has 20 years left to live and the death of a newborn baby. Life is life, and preserving it in any case is an important issue, but to consider it as an equivalent to a baby is to take it to another extreme.

I don't think that ambition or potentials should have any affect on how somebody is punished for a crime. I think that every life is more or less equally important, whether or not they expect a long life.

When you murder somebody, do they look at how much longer the person expected to live? Is there a shorter sentence for murdering a smoker or a fat person?

I agree that preserving life is important, but I'm trying to raise the point -- if this was a baby, the guy would probably have gotten life in prison (minimum 10 years, I bet), whereas people are upset about getting 3 years for a dog. I don't see why killing an animal (any reasonable animal) should be any less than a human. Sure, they won't change the world, but neither do most people. I've decided that, from a utilitarian point of view, an animal losing his/her life is as bad for the animal as a human losing his/her life is for a human.

It's really a matter of opinion, though.

[Newby]

I don't see why killing an animal (any reasonable animal) should be any less than a human. Sure, they won't change the world, but neither do most people.

A dog, being man's best friend, should warrant a much harsher penalty. Life in prison + your family gets mauled by pitbulls.

I find compassion for assholes killing dogs and such. I do not find any compassion behind murders between people. The people are much more capable of defending themselves than a dog is.

[iago]

I don't see why killing an animal (any reasonable animal) should be any less than a human. Sure, they won't change the world, but neither do most people.

A dog, being man's best friend, should warrant a much harsher penalty. Life in prison + your family gets mauled by pitbulls.

I find compassion for assholes killing dogs and such. I do not find any compassion behind murders between people. The people are much more capable of defending themselves than a dog is.

I don't think that any single part of that post actually makes sense...

[Newby]

I find compassion for the dog being killed. I do not find any sympathy or compassion for a murder between two people.

[Ender]

This article makes me nearly cry, and it makes me also feel hate the man who did it, though I try not to feel hate. I don't know what his sentence should be, but I think it should be harsher. Also, I think he should have to give a percent of his salary to PETA or an animal shelter for a period of time (as in, years).

It's an interesting point about how we feel differently about dogs than we do about pigs and cows. I think it boils down to whether the animal is domesticated or not. If it is domesticated, I feel a far greater emotional attachment. While ethically, it probably should be the same (unless animals develop a higher sentience if they're domesticated), emotionally it's not.

Like Newby, I feel more sad over this story than I would over a random murder in the paper. Of course, if it is a friend of mine or someone I know that dies, I would be really sad. But the difference in my feelings over the murder of a strange animal and a strange human being is interesting. I think it has to do with the innocence I perceive of animals. I don't perceive human beings as being nearly as innocent. For instance, while I sometimes view human beings as stupid or unethical, etc., I never view an animal that way.

Insects are just a completely different case. I don't believe them to be very intelligent and sentient, so while I think that we should respect them and that killing them is wrong, I don't think it's nearly as tragic as killing an animal of higher intelligence like a dog.

[Camel]

We are at the top of the food chain, kill what ever the fuck we want

WRONG! Don't you watch Star Trek?