Are there 'reasonable grounds' to kill dogs?
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- A new report commissioned by the city of Vienna could allow the TierQuarTier animal shelter to euthanize healthy but difficult-to-rehome dogs for economic reasons.
- The report, authored by the VetMedUni, examines
A new report commissioned by the city of Vienna could permit the TierQuarTier animal shelter to euthanize healthy but difficult-to-rehome dogs, potentially for economic reasons. The report, titled "Legal, Ethical, and Practical Clarity for Dealing with Difficult and Unrehomable Dogs," was authored by a consortium from the VetMedUni under the leadership of ethicist Herwig Grimm.
Ultimately, it is about eliminating healthy dogs, but apparently unworthy of life for other reasons, for economic reasons.
The core of the report focuses on defining "reasonable grounds" for euthanasia, such as when animals are unmanageable or cannot be socialized with "acceptable" training efforts. This raises concerns that healthy dogs deemed "unworthy of life" for economic reasons could be eliminated. The author argues that the pressure of limited resources will likely lower the threshold for euthanizing such dogs, potentially leading to a "breach of dams."
Further concerns are raised about the confidentiality of euthanasia decisions made by a commission, as stipulated in the city's regulations. The author criticizes this secrecy, calling it a "closed system" despite negative experiences with such practices. This confidentiality, the article suggests, could lead to "generous" decisions and potential abuse.
Sorry, but also because of the shameful treatment of unwanted wild animals in Austria, I am becoming increasingly allergic to killing as a problem-solving strategy.
The author expresses strong opposition to killing as a problem-solving strategy, citing Austria's handling of wild animals and the general societal increase in aggression. The article questions why "reasonable" grounds for killing, which are taboo for humans, would be applied to dogs. The author concludes that legalizing killing for material reasons is the last thing society needs, especially given the existing violence in human interactions.
Why should 'reasonable' killing grounds, which are absolutely taboo for humans, apply to dogs?
Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.