Langley Advance

Site updated Friday, March 30, 2007 07:24 AM

Animal welfare: Fishes' pain undeniable

Dear Editor,

I am appalled, yet not surprised by how many people are upset about Ashley Fruno's letter regarding fishing being cruelty towards animals [Intelligent fish feel pain, Feb. 27 Letters, Langley Advance].

You cannot argue with her when she says that fish feel pain. Anyone with any common sense realizes that fish are animals, even though they don't have fur and they live in the water, and all animals experience pain and suffering. Considering these basic biological facts, it is obvious that fishing indeed causes these animals to feel pain.

I guess then, it would depend whether one believes causing an animal to feel pain, for whatever reason, is classified as cruelty to animals. If someone decided to run around puncturing the faces of dogs and cats with sharp hooks, dragging them around, and hitting them over their heads with clubs, this would most certainly be classified as cruelty towards animals.

I think, perhaps, it would be more honest of people to write in, regarding this subject, by saying, "I don't agree with Ashley because I like/am fine with causing an animal to suffer, so I am okay with fishing."

The big problem is that people never like to think about or admit that their lifestyle might be causing pain or suffering on someone else, let alone having someone point it out for them, which is what Ashley has done.

Marley Daviduk, Abbotsford

published on 03/30/2007