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Mercy Killing?
Zayl
Veteran
Well, a Robin just got into the woodstove by flying/falling down the chimney. It must have been there for awhile because by the time I heard something and discovered it, it was barely alive and covered in soot and ash. One of its wings was broken beyond recognition, its eyes were caked closed with ash, and since birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems and its breathing was labored to the point where it shuddered with each breath. The bird was obviously not going to make it, however its death was going to be a very slow, painful, and terrifying one.
So I did what I thought best in the situation. I washed the bird as best I could and tried to make it comfortable, I gave it a moment, took it up in my hands (despite my cleaning, it was still blinded and chances are didn't know what was happening) and without giving it a chance to react, I snapped its neck with my bare hands, as to me that was the quickest way to end its pain. The use of any other tool may have just complicated the matter, so bare hands seemed the most precise... so do not misunderstand, I did not do it out of some perverse joy.
So this brings up the question of mercy killing. Is it alright to end a life when it is obviously in its final moments, has no hope of surviving, and is in terrible pain? I know the topic of euthanasia has probably been broached on this forum before, but I somehow feel this is a little different, as this was a spur of the moment decision formed from necessity. Please leave your comments.
So I did what I thought best in the situation. I washed the bird as best I could and tried to make it comfortable, I gave it a moment, took it up in my hands (despite my cleaning, it was still blinded and chances are didn't know what was happening) and without giving it a chance to react, I snapped its neck with my bare hands, as to me that was the quickest way to end its pain. The use of any other tool may have just complicated the matter, so bare hands seemed the most precise... so do not misunderstand, I did not do it out of some perverse joy.
So this brings up the question of mercy killing. Is it alright to end a life when it is obviously in its final moments, has no hope of surviving, and is in terrible pain? I know the topic of euthanasia has probably been broached on this forum before, but I somehow feel this is a little different, as this was a spur of the moment decision formed from necessity. Please leave your comments.
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Comments
so, i guess its not good and suffering is a normal. so no you shouldnt of killed it. it might bring you bad karma.
they are not the same.
BTW, did you check the chimney for a nest? There may be another birdie up there. How did you feel after you did the deed?
HHDL used to say that any killing is wrong. He's since modified his stance. So maybe you're ok. Great thread topic.
Anyway you did what you did its too late now, for the record I would not have done the same as you, for all the reasons I have gave in other posts about similar questions.
Metta to all sentient beings
Metta to all sentient beings
And I had conflicting feelings after the matter. For one, I abhor killing, on the other hand I still feel that there was no other way, I could have just sit back and let nature take its course... but I do not think I could have sat there and watch it die, even just dumping it outside and trying to ignore it would have been impossible for me.
EDIT - and it was in really bad shape. it had been bleeding profusely from its broken wing, though the bleeding had stopped somewhat due to ash clogging up the wound, I did not notice that until I washed it and it resumed bleeding out. I have rescued injured animals before, and I feel this one was just too far gone.
Metta to all sentient beings
Your intention was not to destroy a life, your intention was to relieve suffering.
There is a kammic consequence, but the intention was pure, kind and compassionate.
I'm telling you because I am 210% convinced your action was one that brought you more good Kamma than negative.
Your intention was to save the bird further suffering.
having worked at a veterinary centre, I can tell you, birds have an extremely fragile system.
What probably harmed your bird more was the shock.
Having a broken wing, and soot and ash in its lungs and its eyes caked shut would have been bad enough, but the trauma of the experience in itself was probably its demise.
I have seen birds with less injuries put down.
I am of the opinion, in complete confidence that what you did was kind and compassionate.
I don't deny there will be some kammic throwback, but far FAR less than if you had killed a creature out of spite, malice and cruelty.
@juanorellana, I'm sorry you are in pain, but you are a human being, capable of deciding for yourself as things are, what you want to do.
if you were in a serious irreversible coma, the decision would be out of your hands. if you were an animal, your life might already have been ended.
I'm glad you are a human, and able to decide your own fate for yourself, but sometimes, circumstances dictate that we must take it upon ourselves, to make unwanted and unpleasant decisions, on behalf of others, be they human or animal.
And there should be no judgement or criticism of that.
each person does what they can.
At least, Zayl ministered care to the creature and attempted to make it more comfortable before deciding the kindest approach would be to kill it.
Many would not even have given that preliminary care to the bird.
That shows thought and consideration, IMHO.
Thats my view anyway
Metta to all sentient beings
I don't keep pets because of the huge responsibility they represent; it's a LIFE entrusted to our care. It just seems that the potential for something going wrong is too big. For me anyway. I rememmber the baby turtle fad when I was a kid. Those poor creatures would inevitably develop softshell and die, and kids (me too, at first) would just go out and get another one, only to watch it befall the same fate. That did it--no more pets for me. I began a baby-turtle boycott. The pet industry can be cruel, if you think about it, especially exotic pets. So many of those vendors and procurers only care about making a buck.
Metta to all sentient beings
I just put myself in the bird's situation... if I was in that bad of shape, but could not communicate what I wanted with others I would pray for someone to end my life. Then again, animals mostly rely on instinct, and their biggest priority is life. So even in that situation it may have wanted to live for as long as possible, despite the situation.
I did what I did, there is no changing it.
I have had Dogs die on me before too, I hesitated taking them to the vet to have them put down because I was attached to them and being selfish, they just eventually lose the will to live, lay down, and die.
Metta to all sentient beings
i wasn't being judge mental, true he had compassion on his side, i was just making logical statement.
as far as animals not being able to make decisions to end their life, mmmm i dont know about that anyways i think killing is bad in any form or way since we must suffer no matter what it is bad because you think it is bad, however, suffering is part of nature even our own and it is not bad per say bad. meaning yes causing suffering is bad and physical suffering hurtz anyone. and now that i think about
Zyl probably couldnt bare to watch the bird suffer cause he couldnt with stand the pain in his mind. he was running from.
most likely his own fears of suffering. instead of contemplating life he killed it out of his own suffering which is bad karma.
this isn't to say that i think we should go around killing every animal in pain. i have had several pet rats and one of them, i stayed with until her final moments. i do believe she was in pain, but i knew it wouldn't take too long so i simply made her as comfortable as i could until her body finally seized and she was gone. then again, my last rat was quite old and clearly decided her own time to go. she wanted to hang out with me (she had little signs for when she wanted to come out), so i watched a movie with her on the couch and afraid she might have to go to the bathroom, put her back in her cage. within a half an hour, i walked past the cage and saw that she had passed. it was very odd because although i knew she was old and had developed a tremor (like old people do), she had been running around between my partner and i and nestling in my hair like she always did. i think she just wanted to say goodbye.
Metta to all sentient beings
I might add that I was in a similar situation a yr. or so ago. I found a rabbit that had been hit by a car. It was still alive. It was near my house, so I got gloves and a cardboard box and scooped it up, took it home. Called the wildlife rescue office, which was closed after 5pm. There was nothing I could do. I watched it die. It was a moving experience. It didn't occur to me to break its neck, but the death came fairly swiftly. I must admit, I never could've broken its neck, even if it might've seemed like the path to least suffering for the animal. Squeemish, I guess. Or maybe letting it die naturally seemed like letting "fate" (or karma?) play itself out. Don't know. Difficult question. I respect Zayl for putting this up for discussion.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1362789/So-dog-really-die-broken-heart.html
http://dogdow.com/20080227-160749.php
Compassion trumps rules. Compassion cuts through karma. Don't overthink it. Just have compassion and give what you can. Even if it's just release from misery.
Metta to all sentient beings
(Watch out for the dead horse picture- euthanasia threads never seem to turn out well...
And how long do you think those 'last moments' are going to be?
it might have survived hours, not moments!
How can you ask an animal if it's comfortable?
The Queen Mother, on leaving hospital after a difficult operation, commented, "There is a world of difference between the Surgeon's definition of 'the patient is comfortable' - and the patient's own definition!"
What "comfort" do you think you can bring an animal?
(people always think of animals in human terms of comprehension,when trying to second-guess what it is going through....!)
I remember watching a wildlife programme and a pack of hyenas had just had battle with several lions.
One poor young hyena was trailing after the remainder of the pack, its own intestines dragging behind it in a long, unravelled loop....
It was clearly never going to survive, and was weakening with every step, and falling behind.
The remainder of the pack just kept going, and although they kept glancing round at the injured member of the pack, did nothing to stop and comfort it, wait for it, or try to be compassionate. They just kept moving, and ignored its plight and physical distress. In short, they could see it was dying, but had no compunction to do anything other than keep moving.
Eventually, it faltered, and fell, and did not rise again. But the camera could detect movement in the grass where it lay.
Vultures gathered around it quickly, and began to tear it to pieces, while it still breathed....
And its pack companions, just kept walking away.
They may feel this, but how can anyone presume to know what they're thinking, and act on that desire?
If you can't bear to end a life, even as an act of mercy, then don't. Nobody's faulting you for not being able to kill under any circumstance. Good for you.
If you can't bear to watch a creature suffer when it's going to die soon, anyway, then act. Nobody's faulting you for not being able to watch a being suffer without doing something. Good for you.
Both actions show that you care. The only evil would be to enjoy watching the poor creature suffer.
In my opinion you did the right thing. The bird was in real bad shape from what you described. I mean wtf are u supposed to do, call an ambulance, take it to surgery and help him recover? Its not like you took a healthy bird and snapped his neck, you took a dieing bird and removed the slow painful agony that would eventually lead to death.
ive done the same in a similar situation.
There is thirty years between myself and the same decision. I took your path and have no regrets.
The lack of regret has made the experience no less painful for me, even after all this time.
I wish you peace.
I am not doubting that Zayl's actions were out of compassion for the animal, all I am saying is that just because Zayl thinks its compassionate to kill the animal, does not mean the animal wanted to die. So if you don't know what the animal wants then why make that decision for them ?
Metta to all sentient beings
In your opinion. Where is your proof to back this up for all animals ?
I myself don't' think humans know very much at all about an animals consciousness or how they conceptualized the world.
Metta to all sentient beings
Trust me, please - they communicate and think in a different way to human beings.
Dogs in particular (as that is my primary field of study) DO have a language.
But I think you need to differentiate between language and speech.
http://animal.discovery.com/news/briefs/20051031/elephant.html
This behaviour is seen in many other animals also.
Metta to all sentient beings
Dogs do feel the absence of a companion, and have an empathy for humans who display any form of distress.
But this is a confusion, because they cannot know what has triggered the negative emotional manifestation, and they perceive that emotional exposure is actually a vulnerability and as such a risk to the group.
Dogs get over things an awful lot more quickly than humans, because while dogs do have feelings - they don't have baggage.
Unless, of course, we put it there.....
OK, well...maybe not.
Wikipedia is on my side
In the first two events, I would end them without hesitation. However if they were unconscious then chances are very good they are at death's door anyway, and do not feel any pain at the time. If they were in such a state I would stay by them until they passed on their own. Really though these kind of situations are interesting to think about, but in an actual occurance you can throw all logic right out the window, as the events are terribly traumatic to those involved and rational decision making is no longer a factor.
As I said, don't confuse language with speech.
Naturalists and biologists, as well as animal behaviourists argue that a form of animal language exists.
Would you say that a person who is deaf/mute cannot use language because they can't speak/hear?
Of course not. Yet they neither use words, nor can they listen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chimpanzee#Empathy
Like I said no one knows for sure about an animals consciousness or how they conceptualized the world. So why not give them the benefit of the doubt ?
Metta to all sentient beings
Metta to all sentient beings