The topic of dog-fighting was briefly highlighted in the
national news as footballer Michael Vick was brought to
trial for indulging in this blood sport and cruelly killing those
of his dogs that weren’t good fighters. The outrage in
reaction to Mr. Vick’s treatment – or mistreatment – of his
dogs highlights some distressing contradictions within our
own society, but nobody seemed to want to point that out.
While many “humane” persons are quick to express
concern for the plight of unfortunate animals, be they
stranded whales or maltreated dogs, these same people so
often fall silent when it comes to the plight of unborn babies
whose parents wish to abort them for whatever reason.
First off, I would like to state that cruelty is always wrong
no matter to whom it is directed, people or animals.
However, raising animals in order to provide food or
clothing for people is not in and of itself cruel. Animals
were, in fact, given to us for that purpose. As Noah left the
Ark, once the Great Flood subsided, God said to him of the
animals, …“into your hand they are delivered.” “Every
moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and as I gave
you the green plants, I give you everything.” God does
caution Noah, adding, “Only you shall not eat flesh with its
life, that is, its blood,” as well as warning him, “For your
lifeblood I will require a reckoning; of every beast I will
require it … and of every man…” (Gen.9:2-6).
And so God gives us animals for food, but not for cruel
entertainment. Later God, in giving the dietary laws to
Moses, distinguishes between clean and unclean animals –
those that may be eaten and those that may not. This is all
spelled out in Leviticus 11. But, even before that, when
speaking of the great feasts in Exodus, God specifically
states, “You shall not boil a kid in its mothers milk.” (Ex.
23:19).
Although God warns Noah that there will be a reckoning
required of every beast, that does not mean that animals
have rights, as do humans. Cruelty to animals is wrong,
not because it violates any rights of the animal, but
because it is contrary to the dignity of man to cause
animals to suffer or die needlessly. (Catechism of the
Church, 2418). The fifth commandment, “Thou shalt not
kill” refers to people not to animals. Nevertheless to kill an
animal for sport or fun or pleasure is patently wrong and
evil, a perversion of man’s nature.
Although the outrage against Mr. Vick’s cruelty to his
dogs is justified, we must ask ourselves, how can our
society condemn such cruelty to animals, which is a sin
against human nature, having been made in the image and
likeness of God, while it condones the taking of innocent
Human Life through abortion?