Animals vs humans

[fifi669]

AIBU to think if faced with choosing a pet over a human (even if a stranger), you should choose the human?

The idea was brought up in another thread and put in life or death situation. Building on fire contains your pet and a stranger. You could only save one, who would it be?

I had a dog, Ralph, I cried my heart out when he died 3 years ago. The only dog I wasn't scared of! But I can't imagine leaving a person to die instead, no matter how my heart would break.

OK, pianodoodle, one could ask what sort of human repays the steadfast love and devotion of another being by choosing to save a random life instead, no?

It's not only the 'pro-humans' who have been insulting. I have learned that because some humans have behaved badly to some posters, I (and others, and our children and parents) am to be written off, to be included with the bullies, the abusers, the rapists, the war criminals, as not worth saving instead of a dog. That's pretty insulting.

And the posters who claim that animals have never tried to hurt them in the same way as humans...been to bed with a lion lately?

Maid, I'm not sure anyone is saying 'animals' in general, I'm working on the basis that the question is about our own pets.

And I'm happy to say my big, brave dog has tried to put himself between me and approaching trouble a number of times.

sharplily

A decent one.

Oh, thank goodness! I don't have to worry about this anymore. I've just realised it couldn't happen. The stranger wouldn't be there. My dog eats strangers!

Maid are you misinterpreting what I said again? I think you are because it was me that mentioned war criminals. I'd rather you didn't do that. I re-explained my point to you. My point was about the nature of the rescuer and whether, when it comes down to instinct (before logic or emotion kick-in), they would save a stranger.

The question was also 'your pet' not 'a random lion'.

I don't think the dog and the stranger are together ADish, otherwise you could save both

So so far, people who would chose their beloved family member (dog) are:

not decent people
in need of psychiatric help
idiots
knobs
disturbing
and shouldn't be in certain careers,

Sorry if somebody else has already said this, but why would my pet and a stranger be in a house together without anyone else there?

What a pointless question

Rhonda you're not getting into the drama of it all.

DH and the DC's are out. You're at home with beloved pet Fido and a plumber (who you only met seconds ago), the house spontaneously combusts and Fido and the plumber are knocked unconscious. You have seconds to get, you can't carry both. Who do you save?

I'm feeling pretty proud not to be a decent human being at the moment. Hope I remain that way for a long time to come.

Dog. No question. Am not fond of people particularly strange ones. Whereas my dog has saved my life on more than one occasion and I don't say that lightly. I gibber when on the ferry at the thought of him stuck in the car if we sink. DH always assures me we will rescue him together if we find ourselves needing to swim the Channel.

I don't see why people should call others inhuman or other unkind remarks for feeling that way. Don't judge until you walk in another's shoes - there are plenty of valid reasons why many many people prefer the company of their animals over the company of humans and would pick them every time.

It has been noticeable on this thread which side of the argument has been throwing the most poo. Lovely, humanist attitude.

Ok, outraged, I'd probably fuck the plumber and save Fido

I don't think it's pointless. It's about different value systems and the hypothetical question is a route into it.

I for one have learnt something. I had no idea that there were so many people who would save their dog over a human. It might make me think twice about helping someone out, I certainly don't want to go accidentally risking my neck for someone who would save their dog over my child.

Whoops, I'm clearly not taking this seriously enough

I don't think the dog and the stranger are together ADish, otherwise you could save both

Oh no Outraged. That means I have to go back to worrying again! Dammit! (Thanks for clearing that up, though )

I don' think humans are more important than animals, and I am a vegetarian.

That said, I'm really not that fond of any of my current feline tenants so I think the stranger would have a very good chance.

My old boy (cat god rest his furry soul) would put even Dh in a rather precarious situation let alone a stranger

I hope you mean 'fuck' as in leave him there and not the other way otherwise that's a whole different thread

You're right surbuban, clearly I have become well and truly sucked in when I should be getting ready to go to the cinema. Fx there isn't a fire.

"It's about different value systems"

It is? I'm certainly not attaching any values to my own or anyone else's choice. It's just instinct in my view.

Feeling a bit more judgemental about the way some people have chosen to express those values, however...

Whoops, I'm clearly not taking this seriously enough

On the contrary, Rhonda, I think you're definitely taking it seriously enough.

And if there was a stranger in my house I'd definitely leave them! What on earth could they be doing there apart from something nefarious! In which case they are most definitely on their own. Make your own bloody way out and leave my strongbox filled with my diamond jewellery behind!

See, what I think has not been taken into account enough is, would you dog risk his or her life to save you?

My dog would. A random stranger might or might not.

That does create a certain bond of loyalty which should be taken into account.

I don't have a problem with those saying they'd put a human first - but I do seriously worry about those saying no question they'd put a human first. It suggests to me a real lack of empathy and values, that you'd screw over a being that loved you unconditionally and would risk its life for you because it wasn't the same kind of animal as you are.