I read three pages of comments to that story. I couldn't read any further. Probably 90% of the posts are nothing more than public bile, most arguing that the guy should be similarly punished, and some few taking the opposite extreme and claimng animals are the same as houses (property).
Honestly, I can see room for an interesting and challenging debate on that, and I have my own relativist opinion, and an awareness of cultural differences even within our nation. But after reading those comments, there is no point. Debate is dead, in public at least.
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I believe that they are - property - but that does not mean that one has the right to hurt them. Even slaughter can be done in a manner that does not terrorize the animal.
But, I don't know if you can expect much debate from anyone immediately after reading something like that. A story like that leaves me emotionally wrung out. Screw debate. Shoot the ass.
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Rights and responsibility of owners towards their property - I believe we have a duty to faithfully take care of that which we oversee, be it land, buildings or animals. Of course that is open to myriad interpretations, but my own belief reflects causing as little harm as necessary while recognizing that it is very likely some 'harm' will be caused.
I was referring specifically to all forms of debate being dead, or at least savagely afflicted. Hyperbole, but a necessity of democracy, it seems.
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