Greetings from Massachusetts.

[guidofatherof5]

(That way, when they see garters in their yards when they grow up, they'll be less inclined to chop their heads off with a hoe, as is the popular treatment of them around here).

They get the same treatment here. Then get thrown into the middle of the street.
I'm embarrassed to be a human some days.

[GaiusIuliusTabernarius]

Me and my sister had this conversation the other day... people like that are probable future serial killers, sick, and disgust me.

I can understand killing rats, or snails if you have a garden and they are tearing it apart, but garter snakes are one of the best things you can have in a yard. They stay out of your way for the most part, they are hygienic, and they eat slugs. the worst thing they can do is musk and I never found that at all repelling... I actually got used to it.

eh, its just mammal bigotry... its not fuzzy so people think they can treat it like crap. Poor little things.

[RicMartin]

Salve, Gaius. Welcome from the West Coast.

[RicMartin]

Humans treat each other like that. It's not surprising that they bully small defenseless
animals, when they can't even respect their own people. Animals can teach us a lot.

[GaiusIuliusTabernarius]

Thanks, and I'm inclined to agree. I'd say Diogenes was right when he took being referred to as a dog, as a compliment. Certainly I wouldn't complain if someone called me a snake, regardless of the context.

[Sonya610]

Me and my sister had this conversation the other day... people like that are probable future serial killers, sick, and disgust me.

Nahhh....I wouldn't say that. Serial killers take huge risks and know they can lose their life or at least their freedom if caught.

Animal killers/abusers do it because there is virtually NO risk. They can be as mean and sadistic as they please with no consequences whatsoever.

If the law does get involved it is a light little slap on the wrist. It isn't just snakes, it is often dogs/cats/etc...

[kibakiba]

Animal abusers can get jail time. It's completely sick, and anyone who does, well, I hope they get caught. Animals aren't punching bags. I may not like fuzzy animals and such, but to abuse one, for any reason, is wrong. It is said that if one kills or harms animals for fun or just because, they may eventually turn that abuse towards humans. I'd say killing animals is more of a risk than violent video games. But, alas, that is just my opinion.

[GaiusIuliusTabernarius]

I'd say its much more of a risk than violent video games, I know a lot of people who love halo, silent hill, and grand theft auto and non of them would even think to harm an animal. Then again I wouldn't associate with them if they were the sort of person that would.

[kibakiba]

I play a lot of violent video games... They're fun because they're games, but nothing more than that. I've been playing games like GTA since I was 9, I believe. I couldn't hurt a person, let alone an animal. I'm the kind of person who will want to try to help an animal that's hurt and give it tons of love in hopes of making it live comfortably, even if it's just for a little bit.

[Sonya610]

Violent movies and video games have been proven to desensitize people to violence, not make them violent.

I have to say everytime I hear about some horrid animal abuse story and then read comments like "well if they do that to animals they could do it to children!" it makes me angry. The implication is it will be a real problem IF they start doing it to kids/humans, cause abusing/killing humans/kids is serious whereas animal abuse....well...you know...its not a big deal really in and of itself.