Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Animals vs humans

1002 replies

fifi669 · 01/11/2013 13:16

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.

OP posts:
trish5000 · 02/11/2013 16:24

knew you got it now littlewhitebag. Good. Well done.

littlewhitebag · 02/11/2013 16:26

trish I am not sure what i have got but thanks anyway! Smile

SleepyFish · 02/11/2013 16:29

Am a bit Hmm at the utter superiority complex of some posters. We are just one species of animal sharing a planet with millions of other species of animals. Why do so many human animals believe they are superior/more important than every other species? Intelligence? That is highly debatable imo.
I said upthread I'd save the human but some of the attitudes on here towards animals are disturbing.
You do know that people who use or threaten violence towards animals are usually abusive towards fellow humans.
I have no problem with people choosing to save the human as I myself would but some of you don't seem to have a clue what animals have/do contribute to society. You know those vaccines your kids get to stop them dying from awful diseases, well they're only available thanks to thousands of animals suffering for your benefit. And thats just one of many examples.

pianodoodle · 02/11/2013 16:32

Two people believe I deserve to have my beloved companion killed for not sharing their belief system!

Not for your "belief system" no. Only in the hypothetical situation where you left my family member to die while you saved your dog.

trish5000 · 02/11/2013 16:34

Outraged. But why does a child that you may have cared for over many years, suddenly lose his or her value as it were once they reach 16?

OutragedFromLeeds · 02/11/2013 16:37

Trish they don't. The question was a STRANGER. A STRANGER!

Gileswithachainsaw · 02/11/2013 16:40

The person who set the fire is the one that killed everyone!!!!

everlong · 02/11/2013 16:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pianodoodle · 02/11/2013 16:43

A stranger to you is still someone's close family.

Gileswithachainsaw · 02/11/2013 16:46

And an animal is someone else's.

Your family is no more inportant to them than their family is to you.

You cannot dictate who someone rescues. Their home their life they are risking, their call. You don't have to agree with it. You don't have to do the same thing. But nor can you decide for someone else what they should do.

trish5000 · 02/11/2013 16:46

Fair enough Outraged Smile
But an adult stranger is someone else's grown up child.
And if you knew him or her, you might like him or her.

livingzuid · 02/11/2013 16:47

Everlong there were no insults from the pet saviours and there still aren't really. It has only just gotten nasty again. Over a purely hypothetical situation. And reading some of the responses makes me even more sure I'd never rescue some of them or their family over my dog. He at least has manners.

OutragedFromLeeds · 02/11/2013 16:47

I'm aware of that. I'm no hero. I'm not running into a burning building to save a stranger. I would run in to save someone I love, be that human or canine.

livingzuid · 02/11/2013 16:48

Giles said it much better :)

MaryMungoAndMidgies · 02/11/2013 16:49

If it came down to a choice between the two hoodied teenagers who attacked me and my very gentle dog the other night - I'd choose my dog. The fact that they were someone's children would not alter that choice.

To answer a question, I can't have children. Having her helped me through a very dark time indeed. My dog is not a substitute for a child but at least she is loyal, kind natured and well mannered. She never left my side for a moment.

Writerwannabe83 · 02/11/2013 16:49

I agree outraged, I wouldn't be prepared to risk my life either for a stranger. The firemen can rescue them Grin

everlong · 02/11/2013 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pianodoodle · 02/11/2013 16:56

And an animal is someone else's

Still not as important as my human family member.

livingzuid · 02/11/2013 16:57

Well there weren't. So the point is?

And yes to outraged and writer. I'll only risk my neck to save what's important to me. Strangers don't come into that sphere.

livingzuid · 02/11/2013 17:02

You're family isn't as important as mine though piano. I have no emotional attachment or interest in them just as you don't in mine.

Gileswithachainsaw · 02/11/2013 17:02

TO YOU!

candycoatedwaterdrops · 02/11/2013 17:03

It is not OK to imply someone is mentally deficient purely because they would save their animal over a stranger. It's fucking rude and not the same as some of the other remarks on this thread!

everlong · 02/11/2013 17:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Greydog · 02/11/2013 17:03

In that case piano you save your family member, and I'll save my dog. There - now everyone's happy. There are so many stellar humans about to not save - those that attacked *comminthro" being an example

trish5000 · 02/11/2013 17:06

Would you expect or even want, a fireman[who is a stranger], to rescue you first or your pet?

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In
This thread is not accepting new messages.