Why should you be arrested for hurting a dog or a cat, but no one cares if you swat a fly or stomp a possum?

Question

Shouldn't the animals lives be considered equal?

Answer 1

Because they are pets. Personally I think it should be a crime to hurt animals. If only it was OK to do it to people.

People don't see animals as adding value (ie:$$$) to society so their lives are not considered to be worth as much.

Answer 2

Becuase cats and dogs have longer lives, and are considered as pets, whereas flys are annoying and don't really live that long anyway.

Answer 3

Nobody cares about flays. They are considered by "society" to be a pest and nuisance. Also, people would care if you stomped on a opossum. I don't know why you think they wouldn't. Not only is it illegal it's inhumane. The more domesticated the animal, the more people will care for it. The same goes for, the more limited the animal is (in population), the more people will care.

Answer 4

you do make a good point