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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think people should not use 'we put pets to sleep' as an argument to allow assisted dying?

404 replies

Jane3212 · 16/09/2026 23:46

I love animals but they aren't legally the same as people. If somebody sold a person, or controlled who they could have children with, we would be horrified, but we accept those as normal for pets because we don't treat them the same as people.
We put beloved pets to sleep if they're really ill with no hope of cure because we are responsible for them, and cats, dogs etc have no way, by definition, of understanding the situation or communicating what they would want.

A person is categorically different. We don't hold the same power to even decide between life and death over people that we do over pets, and rightly so! The comparison with pets is flawed.

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OtterlyAstounding · 16/09/2026 23:54

Agree. It seems silly to compare people to animals who we sterilise, breed, and euthanise without their permission (as they can't give it). Besides, I think generally - even when suffering - animals don't want to die. The instinct to survive is very strong, and even though it might be merciful to kill them and not prolong their suffering, I doubt it's what they'd 'want'. An equivalence would be that family members should be able to decide it's time to kill granny off, never mind what she thinks, which obviously shouldn't be the case.

I think it's possible for people to argue in favour of assisted suicide without bringing in the very flawed comparison of animals being euthanised.

maggisimpson · 16/09/2026 23:52

I wouldn't let my cat suffer because I love and care for her - I love and care for my children and parents so much more, so why would I not want the same compassion for them?

XenoBitch · 16/09/2026 23:51

We don't let pets suffer.
But a human who is suffering and is asking for help to die a dignified death is denied that.
Pets have it better if you ask me.

EverardDeTroyes · 16/09/2026 23:50

I don't see it as thinking people are the same as pets. It is more that we don't let animals we love suffer so why do we let people, who we ultimately love even more, suffer?