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.

[onedogandababy]

I couldn't imagine leaving my dog there, frightened to die without me able to comfort her. I am entirely responsible for her health & happiness.

Hopefully hypothetical situation wouldn't arise, I mean this random stranger - plumber or whatever, surely only there in daytime hours, therefore everyone would be up and have the sense to get out before it's game over?!

[KittensoftPuppydog]

It's not irrelevant to the thread. If you ask me that's what it's all about.

[DamnBamboo]

I'm simply responding to the question you asked kitten and providing justification for my answer.

[basgetti]

No matter how much I loved my pet, my grief over losing it would not be the same as a family losing a human relation, be that a parent, child or spouse. I couldn't inflict that pain on another person to save my pet and I don't know how anyone else could.

[Strumpetron]

Oh please, people can't make comments because someone might have something or might have experience something...

That's not it at all. It's about you trying to suggest people have mental health problems just because their opinions differ. That's what's offensive, your armchair psychology. Whether a person has a problem or not, it's offensive.

[KittensoftPuppydog]

Oops. Damn. Typo.

[DamnBamboo]

Yes, well we all get offended by things in life don't we.

I do question the mental health generally of someone who feels this way - in my opinon (which clearly differs to yours) this is quite frightening that one could value human life so little.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Gileswithachainsaw are you kidding or do you really not get what a hypothetical question is?

This thread is a bit worrying. I think we need to ask all babysitters, nannies, carers etc this question before allowing them to work.

[DamnBamboo]

What fixation? What on earth are you talking about.

You just don't like the fact that is has been pointed out that your position is largely considered unnacceptable.

[Strumpetron]

Just digging a hole for yourself and thank god other people can debate their opinions without resorting to low level tactics and insults like yours.

[AmberNectarine]

It's a bit of a stupid question really isn't it? Because it will never happen.

I also think some of the comments towards people who have answered the question in the spirit it was asked have been vile.

So on the basis that some people are clearly quite unpleasant I'll save the dog (not mine, I don't have one).

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I know what a hypothetical question is. But it's a ridiculous question. No one an possibly say for sure because of the amount of variables.

[Gileswithachainsaw]

And all this narrowing down of scenarios puts the whole thing based on a ridiculous set of circumstances that wouldn't occur. Like being in opposite ends of a building with only you to rescue the only other human being whilst being miles away from a dog that should e on a lead in a building that allows dogs

[AKAK81]

My dog over a human stranger every single time. A quick poll amongst 4 colleagues with dogs results in unanimous agreement.

[fifi669]

bamboo I see where you're coming from. There are probably people out there who would save their fine art over a human, I'm sure we'd agree that's odd and possibly a sign that they aren't quite right?

I guess that while myself see a hierarchy of family and friends, strangers, animals, anything of financial emotional value in this situation. Others have their animals placed amongst their family and friends as equal to their mum/dad/spouse?

[littlemslazybones]

If someone let a member of my family burn to death to save a dog, well I'd be tempted to run it over out of spite and accept the jail sentence.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

AmberNectarine "It's a bit of a stupid question really isn't it? Because it will never happen"

Why wouldn't it happen? with all the building fires that occur surely there must be lots of cases of having to choose who to rescue first.

[KittensoftPuppydog]

Damnb
I am in the lucky position of not having to give a flying fuck what anyone thinks.

[AmberNectarine]

Generally not a random stranger and a pet though?

[fifi669]

The stranger could be a plumber? Builder? Estate agent? Friend of a friend? There are loads of possibilities. Generally it's not that likely, that's a given, possible though.

The general idea is just to see when push comes to shove, would you pick an animal over a human and I gave it a life it death situation to make it black and white.

[OutragedFromLeeds]

For me I think it would be;

Child I know
Adult I know (and like)
Child I don't know
My dog
Adult I don't know
Adult I don't like (murderers, child abusers and the like)

I think because the dog and the children are helpless. The adults can help themselves to some extent.

It all depends on the situation, the people involved etc.

Also, I'm not cut out to be a hero (I'm a wuss) so I wouldn't be running in to a burning building for anyone except my DC's.

[onedogandababy]

I don't think anyone needs to get hysterical about babysitters nannies etc - after all, the question is about your family pet, not some random dog. Now if I was asked random dog vs random person, I think most people would have very little moral dilemma as to which they'd save.

The complication in the moral dilemma is love and loyalty to a beloved member of your family vs a complete unknown.

[BackOnlyBriefly]

Gileswithachainsaw it's actually a very simple question. The narrowing down was in response to posts like yours where you asked why a stranger was in your house. Frettchen said a similar thing.

It reminded me of many a conversation between Blackadder and Baldric.