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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find people who dislike animals a bit cold in general

361 replies

Tinhatattheready · 26/07/2020 17:55

Yes it’s probably goady. Yes I’ve made an apt name change but...

Honestly - anyone I’ve ever met who’s “not an animal person” always seems to be a bit... off.

I’m not talking about those who are say scared of dogs, or a bit mistrustful of cats. I mean those who are very much “it’s just an animal” (and no I don’t include farmers in this either.

I know plenty of people who are nervous of animals and they’re lovely / but have known maybe around 3 people who really are jist “who cares” and they are not so nice.

OP posts:
TeamLannister · 26/07/2020 17:58

Such nonsense.

Skyliner001 · 26/07/2020 18:03

So true

Babymamaroon · 26/07/2020 18:06

Anyone who is OK with animals suffering any form of abuse (it's just an animal so it doesn't matter) is both cold and disgusting.

Normal people abhor cruelty to any being.

ZeldalovesLink · 26/07/2020 18:09

To an extent I agree, but I also think people have weird attitudes about animals generally. The world is absolutely full of people who claim to love animals but still eat animals and animal products. So I suppose the people who openly aren’t bothered about animals are at least being internally consistent.

Stripesgalore · 26/07/2020 18:09

I don’t know anybody who thinks animal cruelty is okay.

Emeeno1 · 26/07/2020 18:09

Nope. They just don't like animals. It is allowed.

flowertoday · 26/07/2020 18:10

I know what you are saying. I am pretty distrustful of anyone who has no regard for living things other than humans.
Anyone who is cruel to animals ( not including self defence of course) is not a person I would want anything to do that. It is significant to me that people who are cruel to animals are often capable of the same kinds of behaviour towards humans.
I feel for people who are frightened of animals. My aim for my children is that they have a healthy respect for animals and that they know how to cope with a dog running up to them, walk through a field of cows etc.
I prefer animals myselfGrin

flowertoday · 26/07/2020 18:11

To do with Grin

Arrivederla · 26/07/2020 18:11

Well, I'm not wild about animals although I don't hate them.

In my experience, people who are absolutely obsessed with animals can be quite odd. For example, one of my ex-neighbours once told me that if she saw a kitten and a baby abandoned by the side of the road she would stop for the kitten first... she was a very strange person.

Of course there are loads of people who are very fond of animals who are lovely and people who don't particularly like them are equally lovely. Maybe the two extremes should be avoided?

But yes, basically YABU op.

Flamingo30 · 26/07/2020 18:12

I agree

Arrivederla · 26/07/2020 18:12

@flowertoday

I know what you are saying. I am pretty distrustful of anyone who has no regard for living things other than humans. Anyone who is cruel to animals ( not including self defence of course) is not a person I would want anything to do that. It is significant to me that people who are cruel to animals are often capable of the same kinds of behaviour towards humans. I feel for people who are frightened of animals. My aim for my children is that they have a healthy respect for animals and that they know how to cope with a dog running up to them, walk through a field of cows etc. I prefer animals myselfGrin
The op didn't mention anything about cruelty. Hmm
Sakura7 · 26/07/2020 18:12

Agree with you OP. It's one thing to be nervous around them, but I've also found that the type people who think a pet is "only an animal" and have no empathy for them, also tend not to have much empathy in other areas of their lives.

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 26/07/2020 18:12

Exh seems to hate all animals especially dogs.

He’s a narcissist though and I think there’s a connection. He can’t stand to have anyone do anything relying on him.

Binterested · 26/07/2020 18:12

That’s me. I’m not interested in animals really. Same way I’m not wildly interested in sport or astronomy. I’m definitely not cold. Or cruel.

devildeepbluesea · 26/07/2020 18:13

Anecdotally, the people I have known who actively dislike animals have all been rather selfish and cold, so IME YANBU

ChurchOfWokeApostate · 26/07/2020 18:13

There’s a big difference between animal cruelty and not being an animal person.
I wouldn’t call myself an animal person.
I’d never advocate hurting an animal, however I’ve absolutely no desire for a dog/cat as a pet etc

Waxonwaxoff0 · 26/07/2020 18:14

I'm not a huge animal lover. Disliking animals does not mean you think cruelty to them is OK Hmm I do not think cruelty to animals is OK and I am not cruel to animals myself, I just am not fussed about them and I would never own a pet. My mum looks at dogs in the street and goes "awww", I just don't really notice them.

Arrivederla · 26/07/2020 18:14

@ChurchOfWokeApostate

There’s a big difference between animal cruelty and not being an animal person. I wouldn’t call myself an animal person. I’d never advocate hurting an animal, however I’ve absolutely no desire for a dog/cat as a pet etc
Exactly this.
Manolin · 26/07/2020 18:14

I kind of get you, but I would push on your statement more OP. I feel it’s more about those who are ambivalent about nature, rather than animals. The animal bit tacks onto that.

Tinamou · 26/07/2020 18:14

I kind of think the opposite OP. The people I know who are really keen on animals don't seem to like humans much! A couple of them would even admit that!

Carouselfish · 26/07/2020 18:15

Going by what you say op, not people who are cruel, just indifferent or don't really like them. Agree, they're not people I would want anything to do with. Also find anyone who makes blanket statements like 'I don't like music' or 'I don't like art' a bit brain dead. The don't like animals people the same. I think it's a lack of imagination - empathy is essentially imagining yourself in the other being's place.

Manolin · 26/07/2020 18:16

Why are posters talking about cruelty? OP hasn’t mentioned that. Just not being into animals doesn’t mean those people are cruel to an individual animal.

It’s more profound than that.

damekindness · 26/07/2020 18:16

I'm a bit meh about animals in general. Like to see a picture of a cute kitten occasionally and wouldn't condone animal cruelty for a minute

I don't properly understand the emotional reaction to the death of a pet. I get totally that the person is devastated and that their feelings are very real to them. I just couldn't imagine feeling that way myself

Arrivederla · 26/07/2020 18:18

@Carouselfish

Going by what you say op, not people who are cruel, just indifferent or don't really like them. Agree, they're not people I would want anything to do with. Also find anyone who makes blanket statements like 'I don't like music' or 'I don't like art' a bit brain dead. The don't like animals people the same. I think it's a lack of imagination - empathy is essentially imagining yourself in the other being's place.
Total nonsense.

I could say that I find people who are obsessed with animals to be a bit lacking in intelligence but I value my life so I won't...

annabel85 · 26/07/2020 18:19

I love animals but I know some lovely people who dislike them for whatever reason (usually bad experience).

Sometimes the biggest psychopaths are animal lovers so it's not the way to gauge someone's character necessarily.