Is it a sin to kill an animal that's suffering?

[FriendlyJosh]

I know it's a mortal sin in regards to doing that to people, but what about animals? I just picked up a spider with a paper towel to put him outside but I squeezed too hard and while he still alive his legs/body was messed up, so i'm sure he's/she's in pain :/ I didn't kill the spider because I don't know if it's a sin or not but feel bad because it definitely wasn't my intention to do that to it.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I know it's a mortal sin in regards to doing that to people, but what about animals? I just picked up a spider with a paper towel to put him outside but I squeezed too hard and while he still alive his legs/body was messed up, so i'm sure he's/she's in pain :/ I didn't kill the spider because I don't know if it's a sin or not but feel bad because it definitely wasn't my intention to do that to it.

No it's not a sin, unless you're abusing the animal for pleasure.


Jim

 

[cmarie423]

I know it's a mortal sin in regards to doing that to people, but what about animals? I just picked up a spider with a paper towel to put him outside but I squeezed too hard and while he still alive his legs/body was messed up, so i'm sure he's/she's in pain :/ I didn't kill the spider because I don't know if it's a sin or not but feel bad because it definitely wasn't my intention to do that to it.

Yeah put it out of it's misery. It's not a sin unless it's abuse and you're doing it for fun. Then it's a sin.

 

[FriendlyJosh]

Ok thanks guys, next time i'll put it out of its misery, and quickly.

 

[Kurama]

As a vegetarian who supports the humane treatment of animals (though I don't buy any of that animal rights stuff), I could only say that the decision is up to you.

In this case you have already wounded the creature, it was most likely in agony. In the case of humans, euthanasia should never be used. I do not believe this would apply to other animals for God allowed us to take the life of an animal for ethical reasons (i.e. for food).

I believe that a quick and painless death is merciful towards the creature. Jesus greatly preached mercy and I believe that it would merciful to have put this spider out of its misery. Doesn't apply to humans though (painkillers exist for a reason, no individual or state has the right to take a life other than God)!

 

[Irenaeus]

No.

 

[FriendlyJosh]

Now I feel worse because I didn't put it out of its misery, but I just checked outside and he's not there so hopefully it survives or passes away quickly. I've accidently hurt insects in the past trying to remove them, so I should have asked this question a long time ago. :\ nothing I can do now.

 

[AMDG]

Remember the Bible back in Genesis? God gave Adam (and by extension us) dominion over the animals. (God made the animals to serve us and we are to take care of them.) So is it a sin to put an animal (humanely) out of it's suffering? No.

Now about people--well dominion still belongs to God.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Now I feel worse because I didn't put it out of its misery, but I just checked outside and he's not there so hopefully it survives or passes away quickly. I've accidently hurt insects in the past trying to remove them, so I should have asked this question a long time ago. :\ nothing I can do now.

Well, unfortunately, spiders are resilient. It may be he survived, to the chagrin of my wife who hates spiders.

Jim