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No excuse for ‘murder’ of cat
Published Thursday, May 8, 2008
Photo by The Daily Journal
Debbie Irmen
A week or so ago, The Journal editor thought, because of my interest in cats, I’d like to hear a story about a cat stabbed to death.
It seems a 19-year-old, upset with a couple of female friends who wouldn’t party with him, took it out on their cat.
Investigations indicate the man had been enjoying the company of his “friends,” when they decided to head out to another party. He left and came back, broke into their apartment and upon finding the girls gone, noticed the cat, grabbed a knife and chased the poor animal around the house, stabbing it to death.
He admitted to drinking vodka.
He also said he was sorry for what had happened that he had never done anything so stupid in his entire life.
It won’t be the last stupid thing he does if he continues to drink vodka.
I have to wonder what goes through a person’s mind, drinking or not, to see an animal and decide they must die. Having four cats myself, I know how terrified they would be if a stranger was chasing them, let alone trying to hurt them.
Hearing the story made me sick to my stomach.
What is it in some people that pushes them to hurt our most vulnerable — children and animals; and let’s add anyone weaker than themselves?
I wonder if he were mad enough, under the influence, if he would be capable of killing a person? What would have happened if the girls had been home and he didn’t like their response to his desire to continue having fun. Would he have chased the girls around? Perhaps slapped them a few times? Stabbed them?
I know many people think the death of a pet, particularly a cat, is really not a big deal, but I believe it points to a far greater problem — that of self-control.
Many of our vices — excssive eating and drinking or doing drugs, among other things — can be based on self-gratification.
That is not to say other factors don’t play a role, but often when we don’t quit a bad habit, it is because we get some level of enjoyment from the activity and want to continue with those benefits.
Not knowing the young man who enjoyed his vodka and stabbed the cat, I have no clue what factors were in play that night.
But if he truly has a drinking problem, first thing, he should get that under control.
Then, I believe he needs to look into controlling those negative emotions.
I’m sure we all have done things we wish we hadn’t, drunk or sober, but when it leads to killing an innocent bystander — even if it is a cat — we need to take critcal stock of who we are and if we need some help.
Debbie Irmen’s columns run Thursdays.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by otterfan (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 12:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
People who are desensitized to killing anything need help. I believe it can lead to more serious abuse to even a human being. Hopefully he gets some mental help, and stays away from the liquor.
Posted by yepUbetchya (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So, otterfan, can I read into your post that killing some things is ok? And to Debbie, I am glad you love cats, but I don't recall where cats took a higher status than a simple object. We have become such a strange culture, where it is ok to have feedlots so we can eat beef, but not horses, we can cage and mistreat chickens for their eggs, but we have to love everyone's cats and dogs like they are children. Lets all pick one side or the other of this fence and stick with it.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My favorite Chinese cookbook is "50 Ways to Wok Your Dog".
Posted by James (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the editor must really dislike you. Why else is he telling you stories about a drunk guy stabbing a cat?
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If you were a chipmunk you would hate cats also.
Posted by ginger_ale1 (anonymous) on May 8, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yepUbetchya:
Who would you rather have as a neighbor, someone making a living at a slaughter house, or this kid who just killed the cat? I won't argue that the treatment of animals bred for food is wrong, but is that Debbie's fault?
Eating meat is part of being human. Smart consumers support free range products, which is something we do - save the meals we eat on the go.
As someone who is somewhat sympathetic to your point of view (someone who wants more ethical treatment for animals and sustainability for our planet's resources) I think you harm your cause by taking such fanatical stands. People who would be easily swayed with an educated argument become put off by your "all or nothing" mentality.
Pets, at least in our culture, are members of the family. Is that strange...? - from some cultural viewpoints, most definitely. Would it have made any difference if he smashed the hell out of her car? Perhaps, but one has to consider how his action impacted the victim. If someone smashed the windows out of my car, would I be mad? Sure (it's happened to me before). If someone killed my dog, I would be devastated.
I'm not sorry that I love my dog and I'm not sorry that I love beef, pork, lamb, goat, poultry, seafood. Yet, I believe that while they are living on earth they should be treated humanely and that their deaths should be dignified.
Posted by yepUbetchya (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 8:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ginger, I would rather have the catkiller thank you.
Let me answer a couple questions before I even start. No, I am not a PETA member, and yes, I own a cat. I am a vegetarian, and I believe property rights should be respected.
Now, let me point out the obvious. Eating meat is not part of being a human, it is how we have evolved. Yes, pets are part of our culture, but they are not part of the family, and that is where our society has failed. You want to treat some animals as humans, yet eat those from your list. How hypocritical is that. go read "animal farm". Without going too far into this rant, I agree that this boy should be punished for destroying someone else's property, but don't make it out to be a violence crime. Let me finish with this question, if my dog attacked your child, would you still feel the same about the animal's dignity? I would be devasted if my dog were not treated humanely and given a full trial and maybe some inpatient treatment to curb its urges to eat meat.
Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cats suck.... They shed, and are pretty much good for nothing. Our world is not going to take a downward spiral because of one lost cat.
P.E.T.A.= People Eating Tasty Animals....
Posted by otterfan (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The point is this guy chased the cat around with a knife and stabbed it to death. I take offense to that, and I would take offense to any animal being chased around by someone with a knife.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Eating meat is not part of being a human, it is how we have evolved." It's interesting how some people can twist history to fit their view of the world. Just what exactly do you base that argument on, pray tell??
Posted by BobWilliams (Bob Williams) on May 9, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just don't blame it on the vodka.
Oh, and that comments disclaimer is hilarious.
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