"Ron" > wrote in message ...

> Until we can find a suitable treatment or cure for individuals who
> delight in take the lives of other animals and would likely inflict that
> aggression on humans, my CHOICE is to allow the behaviour to continue.
> As a matter of survival if it is the difference between a cow dying or
> some crazed person who delights in killing animals being lose in the
> community to fill their lust for blood and death -- the cow looses.

Surely a society which condones violence against the most vulnerable
- animals (as children have at least more legal protection), is actually
perpetuating the view that (when it is carried out to meet the person's
desires, wants or needs), violence, abuse and taking life is acceptable?

....

'Research Into the Violence Link: Notes for Humane Education

The link between cruelty to animals and violence toward people has
been well established. Randall Lockwood and Frank Ascione's recent
book, Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence: Readings in
Research and Application compiles overwhelming research evidence
that cruelty to animals is a symptom of deep psychological problems.
It's a clear indicator that violence and abuse toward people is happening
as well. In children and adolescents, a pattern of recurrent cruelty to
animals is a predictor of later aggression toward other people.
...
Properly conceived and executed, humane education programs improve
the treatment of both animals and people. Humane education not only
provides knowledge about animals and their care but develops empathy,
respect, sensitivity, responsibility, self control and self esteem. Including
humane education as part of the regular school curriculum makes sure all
children learn appropriate behaviours, not just those fortunate enough to
come from stable, caring home environments.

The research is clear on the transference and escalation of aggression
from animals to people. It also shows what causes that aggression --
and some of those causes can be prevented with humane education.
Furthermore, there is research that shows that improved attitudes toward
animals generalize to people. If children learn to treat animals well, they're
more likely to treat people well too. If children are allowed to vent their
aggression on animals, they will learn to vent it on other people as well.
...
Empathy, the ability to mentally put oneself in another's shoes and
understand their perspective, is key to peaceful coexistence. Lack
of empathy allows abuse to happen because to the unempathetic
abuser, the victim is just an object, not a feeling being. Thus the
development of empathy for others, human and nonhuman, must be
an integral part of humane education.
...
http://www.animalink.ab.ca/HumaneEdu...olencelink.htm

(Those individuals who are a potential threat to society need treatment.)