So I might have gotten myself into trouble today...
Hey all, I made a couple of people angry today standing up for an animal. Granted, I didn't take the smartest route to help the animal, but...I got caught up in the heat of the moment. Judge for yourself. Here's the story.
So I ride horses. I have one myself, and board her at a public boarding barn. It's not a huge barn, by any means, but there are a small group of us that are very dedicated and are there nearly every day to work with other horses. Anyway...I was talking to a couple of my barn friends as one of them rides. We heard some yelling coming from outside the arena, and I decided to investigate. I went to the gate, and found one of the younger riders, (she's 11 years old), a friend of hers that lives nearby, and the the 11-year-old's mom screaming at one of our barn cats and chasing him from the front of the barn. (We have 4 barn cats whose only jobs are to catch unwanted rodents and critters.)
It seemed that one of the cats had climbed up into one of the trees on the property and snagged a baby squirrel from its nest. Another cat (the one being chased) had stolen the squirrel and was now carrying the still-living baby in its mouth. The three women were running after this cat, screaming at it to drop the squirrel. And then the 11-year-old starting throwing things at the cat and trying to corner it. (I think she was throwing rocks, but I don't know for sure.)
At this point, I start (futiley) calling out that yelling at the cat isn't going to help things. This is ignored.
They managed to herd the cat up into and barn, and corner it. He dropped the squirrel on the barn aisle, and was promptly scooped up by the 11-year-old and told what a "bad cat" he was.
All of this happens in about 10 seconds.
Now all of the adults (3-4) are telling the little girls not to touch the squirrel. Someone says to grab a towel and take it...somewhere. I volunteer, saying I'll get it. I walk forward and bend over to scoop up the bleeding baby, when I hear what sounds like 3 slaps. My mind remembers having just seen the 11-year-old take the cat up the barn aisle into the washing room/kitchen (don't ask). She's beating that cat! Adrenaline starts pumping through to my brain, and at this point, I lose pretty much all control on rational thinking.
I think I yelled the girl's name. (If I didn't, I know her dad did, and he didn't sound too happy.) Anywho, she reappears and lets the cat go. I say (too loudly) that if I ever catch her beating that cat, I'll beat her. She looks at me like she can't believe that I've just said this, and says "You can't touch me!!"
Her mom chimes in behind me, yelling "What did you say?!?" (She also said something to the effect that I couldn't touch her daughter.)
To finish up, I scooped up the squirrel, took him out back (away from all of the commotion) where he could die in peace. As I was returning from my trip, I saw the girl's mom and said "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to threaten her like that."
"Yeah right."
They left, and I finished up what I was doing. It's going to be an interesting day at the barn tomorrow.
I don't think that they can press any type of legal charges since their daughter's a minor, and I am too, I didn't have a weapon of any kind, and never actually came close to touching her.
So....yeah. There's my animal rights episode of the day. To top it all off, the girl's mom is a vegetarian. I would think that she, of all the people at the barn besides me (the sole vegan), would understand the circle of like. The cats were only doing what their instincts told them to do.
hmm.. i don't think it is the fact that they thought it was ok for their daughter to be beating the cat (i mean, you said the dad yelled at her, too, right?), i think it is just the 'i'll beat her' part. if someone said that to my daughter i sure as hell would be defensive, weather they had good intentions or not.
Yeah, I agree with hespedal. If anybody yelled at and threatened my kid, there would be PROBLEMS.
I don't want to be offensive, but I feel like threatening violence is like taking 2 huge steps back for veg*nism. I mean, that girl probably did that out of ignorance and how she was raised...the same way you wouldn't beat an animal for hurting another animal, you shouldn't threat to hurt other people (especially children) for what they do to other living things. Informing in a calm manner will always be the better way to go.
But I guess it was a shocking thing to see outright violence to an animal like that
But I guess it was a shocking thing to see outright violence to an animal like that
I bet the girl was just shocked to see a squirrel attacked, honestly. And since cats are kept as housepets, she probably had never given much thought to the fact that they can survive by hunting. I'm not excusing hitting the cat... but come on. You can't threaten to beat up an eleven year old. Violence is stupid.
Not only that, but it sounds like her father was as surprised and angry that she was hitting the cat as well. Since both you and the girl were minors, I think both adults will be fairly understanding that in the heat of the moment the girl a) behaved completely inappropriately and b) as a reaction you said something you quite quickly regretted, and attempted to retract.
It sounds to me like they were more interested in getting out of there and away from any possible confrontation than actually dealing with it then and there. Tomorrow, my advice would just to be polite. If they seem approachable (instead of glaring at you), go over and apologize again, and say something to the effect of... you were caught up in the moment, and so shocked that someone would hurt an animal who was simply behaving out of instinct you didn't think before you spoke. Explain that you would not actually act on what you had said, just said it in an effort to get her to stop doing what she was doing.
Because, you know, that's what happened as far as I can tell. Any reasonable person, especially a parent, will or should appreciate this for what it is: a sincere apology and explanation. The eleven year old girl was completely out of line in hurting the cat, but you made a mistake as well, which you've had the maturity to acknowledge. If the parents can't appreciate that, they aren't worth worrying about. After that, just be polite and keep your distance. If you're concerned about animal safety, have a word with the people who own the barn -- I'm not clear if you are one of those people, but if you are, you obviously can decide, or influence what happens. It might help to get someone else involved. If you explain what happened to them, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to assist.
Way more semi-unsolicited advice than you could possibly ask for or want, but there you are. Hope it helped.
Hmm... I get people being taken aback by the threat, esp. the girl's parents, but... the girl was threatened. the cat was actually beaten. If I had been in this situation, I would've have instantly done what (I thought) necessary to get the cat and the squirrel out of a dangerous situation, regardless of the batterer's feelings. Of course, who knows what "necessary" would be; it might be taking away the cat, or threatening retaliation.
Last I recall, a squirrel is good as dead once bitten by a cat; something to do with some sort of toxin in their breath or saliva. There really wasn't much point for anyone to try to "save" the squirrel, as frustrating as that would be... Is it better to be eaten or die slowly? Who knows. (I don't want to find out!)
You know, I would have done/said the exact same thing given the situation. I'd say you probably didn't leave the best impression on the parents, but what's done is done, and the best you can do is apologize (you already did), and be nice and sweet to them from this point on.
If you get a chance, maybe talk to the girl and say that you understand that she was just sticking up for the squirrel, but you were sticking up for the cat, so you both had the same intentions in different ways, and you both obviously love animals, so sorry about the misunderstanding. You can do this alone, or in front of the parents (and hopefully they don't cut in). Also explain that cats can't help hunting, because they are natural born hunters and such.
If they shun you or turn up their noses, then forget about them, its not necessary to have their respect for your life to continue, and just be more careful next time.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
people are retarded....ike the cats going to know understand it should hunt squirrels
maybe they need to take the cat to special "cat class" so it can be programmed to only go after those pesky animals us humans dont find cute and cuddly
eugh
yeah, threatening the kid wasnt a good move, Id apologize again and say you were just angry at the animal abuse....dont back down from that stance, but say how youd never do anything to their kid
Last I recall, a squirrel is good as dead once bitten by a cat; something to do with some sort of toxin in their breath or saliva. There really wasn't much point for anyone to try to "save" the squirrel, as frustrating as that would be... Is it better to be eaten or die slowly? Who knows. (I don't want to find out!)
True; cat bites are deadly to small animals and a nightmare for humans, much worse than dog bites. I can't remember just exactly the explanation but you're looking at all kinds of preventative injections. And possible cauterization. Especially if it's deep. That is why much as I love cats, I would not give houseroom to a known biter. A friend of ours has a cat with a history of biting; he bit me once, and though there weren't any consequences, I no longer allow him to get anywhere near me.
True; cat bites are deadly to small animals and a nightmare for humans, much worse than dog bites. I can't remember just exactly the explanation but you're looking at all kinds of preventative injections. And possible cauterization. Especially if it's deep. That is why much as I love cats, I would not give houseroom to a known biter. A friend of ours has a cat with a history of biting; he bit me once, and though there weren't any consequences, I no longer allow him to get anywhere near me.
Are you talking about feral cats? I've been bitten by house cats several times and never had a problem nor needed any medical attention.
If you ever see anything like that again say ," NO NO STOP!!!!!"
3nails, I think that I would have responded the exact same way you did, except I wouldn't have apoligized afterwords. The kid had no right to beat a cat! I think I would have gone berzerk. I imagine if I saw such a thing happen I would loose my tember too. If the parents got mad at you say that you mean exactly what you say becuase animal abuse has no place in this barn! Some people are so stupid, and if the child was beating the cat that means that the parents aren't teaching the kid respect for animals!
The kid needs a good spanking if you ask me. If I would have done that as kid I would have gotten a leather belt to a bare bottom. But then again...I hate kids...love animals...who am I to talk? Now if the cat was one of my own, I would have probably beaten the stupid kid to a jellied pulp! Nobody touches any of my babies without getting what they deserve from me. I am very sensitive when it comes to cats.
3nails, I think that I would have responded the exact same way you did, except I wouldn't have apoligized afterwords. The kid had no right to beat a cat! I think I would have gone berzerk. I imagine if I saw such a thing happen I would loose my tember too. If the parents got mad at you say that you mean exactly what you say becuase animal abuse has no place in this barn! Some people are so stupid, and if the child was beating the cat that means that the parents aren't teaching the kid respect for animals!
The kid needs a good spanking if you ask me. If I would have done that as kid I would have gotten a leather belt to a bare bottom. But then again...I hate kids...love animals...who am I to talk? Now if the cat was one of my own, I would have probably beaten the stupid kid to a jellied pulp! Nobody touches any of my babies without getting what they deserve from me. I am very sensitive when it comes to cats.
Now seriously, what the fuck??!!!
I really don't think spanking the kid would help anything... it seems to me like she was spanking the cat for being "bad" and going after the squirrel.
Now seriously, what the f**k??!!!
I really don't think spanking the kid would help anything... it seems to me like she was spanking the cat for being "bad" and going after the squirrel.
Show the kid what the cat feels. That is my reasoning.
My guess would be that the kid has already been spanked, and thus figures that spanking is a reasonable response to others' unwanted behaviors.
Last I recall, a squirrel is good as dead once bitten by a cat; something to do with some sort of toxin in their breath or saliva. There really wasn't much point for anyone to try to "save" the squirrel, as frustrating as that would be... Is it better to be eaten or die slowly? Who knows. (I don't want to find out!)
True; cat bites are deadly to small animals and a nightmare for humans, much worse than dog bites. I can't remember just exactly the explanation but you're looking at all kinds of preventative injections. And possible cauterization. Especially if it's deep. That is why much as I love cats, I would not give houseroom to a known biter. A friend of ours has a cat with a history of biting; he bit me once, and though there weren't any consequences, I no longer allow him to get anywhere near me.
I don't think it's quite that serious (for humans). I volunteered at a cat hospital, and occasionally someone would get bitten by an angry cat. It would swell up horrible (especially if you're allergic!), but all that happened was waiting for it to go away. I'm sure the situation would be different if the kitty had some sort of zoonotic disease o_o
"Q. Why is a cat bite deadly to wildlife?
A. Cats carry a bacteria in their saliva called pasturella. If any wild animal is exposed to the saliva from a cat, the bacteria affects their central nervous system. Unless the proper antibiotics are administered in the first 12-24 hours, the animal will eventually die."
My guess is the animal has to be small for there to be sufficient bacteria to kill them.
Two wrongs don't make a right. It seems like that would serve only to perpetuate the problem; abusing a child is often why children begin abusing animals in the first place. Being powerless sucks, whether you're a kid, or an animal.
While I understand your reaction in terms of emotion, and sometimes it's hard to think in the heat of the moment ... but, always, always, always try to check yourself in these situations. Threatening to hit a child teaches absolutely no lesson. It also puts everyone on the defensive, so past that comment, no one will listen to what you have to say.
Stepping in, saying stop, and removing the animals from the situation is the better idea. Afterwards, you could have spoken to the parents, with the kid in front of them, saying that the cat did nothing wrong, it's in his/her nature to hunt, that its purpose is to catch mice in the barnyard, etc. And that, next time, you'd appreciate it if they didn't chase the cat, while yelling, and then hitting it.
But, threatening violence on a child is totally over the top. Especially since you're not her parents. Especially since hitting someone else's child could get you in trouble - regardless of whether or not you're a minor.
3nails, I think that I would have responded the exact same way you did, except I wouldn't have apoligized afterwords. The kid had no right to beat a cat! I think I would have gone berzerk. I imagine if I saw such a thing happen I would loose my tember too. If the parents got mad at you say that you mean exactly what you say becuase animal abuse has no place in this barn! Some people are so stupid, and if the child was beating the cat that means that the parents aren't teaching the kid respect for animals!
i agree with that.
i don't think you did anything wrong. you were passionate about that cat being hit, and i wouldve reacted the same way.
the parents sound like snooty jerks to me.. well atleast the mom anyway
You know, maybe the mother would have handled it in a more private setting? We don't know, so we can't really judge the parents.
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