What age is ok to kill small animals?

[Barem]

Hi all,

I have a four year old son, and his father has taken him to his families cabin for the weekend.

They’ve taken some fishing nets as it’s close to the water, which I thought would be really sweet for my son to play with.

Yesterday his father told me that they’d caught a crab and he’d let my son kill it with a hammer to use as bait. I said I wasn’t too happy with this as I want him to enjoy learning about animals but not take enjoyment in killing them (at least this young).

Today he told me they’d caught a fish and killed it for the dogs to eat.

When I asked if they could catch it (it’s in a net not on a hook) and throw it back in he accused me of trying to ruin all their fun and put a downer on their day.

My son is meant to be back this morning but now father won’t tell me when he’s bringing him back.

What is everyone’s opinion on children killing animals yet? I’m a vegetarian so aware that I might be a bit more sensitive than others. But I’d have hoped that his father would at least consider/ respect my feelings on this?

I agree with this really. If you eat meat and fish, how do you think it gets in to your plate?

No, I am vegan, I don't think it's ok for me or my family to kill animals for any reason. But I know other people don't live by those principles and I believe if you're teaching a child it's ok to eat fish you should also show them how that fish is caught and killed. Smashing a crab with a hammer sounds horrible because it is, but it's probably also instant death and as it's being used to catch fish (presumably to eat) it is logically consistent with a fish/meat eating position.

he is also Far to young too hammer a crab

This, with bells on.

I would not want my kids doing this
I hope dad isn’t making him feel he has to do this to be a “ man”

There are so many idiotic posts on this thread 🤦🏼‍♀️

OP, they were killing the crab for bait. Your son is getting outdoors with his dad and bonding and learning with him. Get some perspective.

If you catch him throwing rocks at cats, kicking pigeons, or lighting ants on fire with a magnifying glass, then yeah, read him the riot act the little psychopath. But learning how to prepare bait and catch fish? No, it’s fine.

is eating 'meat' "fun"? it is no longer borne out of necessity.

What does this even mean?

🤦🏼‍♀️

Docs are omnivores which means they have adapted to eat a variety of foods including meat.

A dog’s digestive system and enzymes are largely tuned towards eating meat and my personal view therefore is that it’s cruel to exclude meat completely from their diets.

Same, if the kid eats fish I think I'd be happy to let them catch a fish and see how it's prepared.
Crab smashing for no reason is horrible though, my little boy loves crabs.

Why would a 4 year old be too young? Unless there is a concern that he is unable to dispatch the animal quickly and efficiently then I can’t see an issue at all.

Agree with this

Comprehension skills are through the floor on MN these days.

the OP is very clear that the crab was killed for bait - it’s all there in one sentence.

argue that you don’t need bait, or that bait should only be bought from the shop or that fishing for food is evil but suggesting that it was some act of random gratuitous violence is lazy

have you not read the thread?

what do you think it could mean?

The younger the better imho. With proper guidance. Many toddlers don’t have natural squeamishness or fear of snakes for example, all of which they learn from their parents. They are usually pretty brave beings. And very curious about the natural world around them. The earlier you can harness that curiosity and bravery, the better. As long as responsibility and respect for nature is taught at the same time.

No. Dogs cannot be vegetarian. They would never choose to be vegetarian. Their humans can choose to feed them a vegetarian diet.

just dont let him loose with the hammer when he gets home!

I think it is okay if you are eating them. Not this though.

It’s never okay. Absolutely shocking that you would ever think or would be.

Fishing and crabbing is great for kids. We love fishing here, we throw back, but I'd also be okay with killing to eat.

Smashing an animal to bits for no reason other than a show of power isn't okay (it didn't need to be bait).

Probably the same place - but its already there isn’t it - bit wasteful of a life just to smash a crab for no other reason than he couldn’t be arsed to go and get some that was already dead and already available. No lesson there is there, except laziness.

I’m not sure a 4 year old is old enough to understand the difference between killing for bait or to feed the dog vs smashing a crab or killing a fish for fun. Unless your ex explained the purpose incredibly clearly and carefully and explained at the same time that killing without these purposes would not be ok. I bet he didn’t.

Omfg. I would be absolutely raging at this. This is not ok. Psychologically- this is terrifying. Didn’t Geoffrey Dahmer’s dad have similar hobbies that he shared with him at a young age?!

At 4 kids need to be taught empathy and to respect animals. This is absolutely awful and sad.