So I may have killed my friend's kitten today...

[amicold]

Originally posted by: johngute
give her a new cat and a bill for cleaning the blood stained carpet

Roflmao. I feel bad for the kitten, but seriously fvck her. It's her fault for bringing something delicate like that to a party, with alcohol no less.

 

[dfi]

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: dfi

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: dfi

Ok, trying to reach some common ground. Most would agree that human slavery is wrong - humans are not property to be owned. We've established that both humans and cats are sentient beings, but cats do not share the same rights as humans. Because cats have less rights than humans, cats can be treated in ways that broadly resemble slavery. So are cats property?

this is becoming absurd in a way...i said slavery in a broad sense, but not that it broadly resembles slavery. It really has nothing much to do with slavery, other than you possess ownership/leadership over the animal.
t seems to fit closely with my definition of slaver
Cats and Dogs as a group look to their humans as a leader...they give in to being submissive and a follower.

However, this is a relationship almost as old as time; and a valuable one. Animals have rights definitely...more than slaves ever did in the worst of times.

In slavery, you were taking a person that could have been just as good as anyone and binding them to service. If it was a woman, you could rape her. Animals are protected even with that. Animals cannot be land owners, voters, want to go to school, etc...they do not want to be.

However, an animal is not a yard ordament or a soccer ball when you get p1ssed.

They are technically natural companions. In our more comfortable modern times, their lives have gotten equally easy. In days of old, dogs helped find game, protect property/livestock, etc. Cats kept vermin at bay mostly. Both sometimes ate an occasional livestock item.

Today they are simply friends always available. They are relaxing and have been proven to extend our lives. Life extension is probably one of the most valuable things in existance.

The bonus is these furry guys do this for just room and board and sometimes even less than that.

So the question remains - are pets property? Companionship and friendship can exist without ownership. It all goes back to the original quote that caught my eye, the idea that sentient beings are not property.

Slavery does not have to apply only to another of the same species. If tomorrow, a dramatically more intelligent and advanced alien super race came to our planet and put humans into their much more comfortable homes, so that we may be their companions and help with their daily tasks, are we still not slaves if we are not free to refuse this life? Isn't domestication of animals just institutionalized slavery?

If you want to stretch the definition of slavery that far, then can you really say that slavery is always wrong?

I don't think I have stretched the definition of slavery, have I? Slavery is the condition of being in a position of servitude and bondage as the property of another. If I own a dog that I use to help herd sheeps, and the dog is not allowed the freedom to wonder from the household at leisure, then the relationship I have with the dog fits closely with my definition of slavery. You may love your dog, and your dog may love you as well. Does that change the relationship?

Right or wrong is subjective. Owning a dog as property, whether for companionship or work, is largely accepted in our society. If humans were owned as property by another advanced species, we would certainly consider it to be "wrong". But that advanced species might consider it mundane and acceptable, or "right".

 

[dirtboy]

As the kitten's mother, it was her responsiblity to see to it's safety. Why she'd bring a 3 mo old kitten to a party and then let it run free is beyond me. She's an idiot.

 

[fire400]

just pay dude, get it over with. get her a new kitten while you're at it. don't be selfish, she just lost a pet.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dfi
I don't think I have stretched the definition of slavery, have I? Slavery is the condition of being in a position of servitude and bondage as the property of another. If I own a dog that I use to help herd sheeps, and the dog is not allowed the freedom to wonder from the household at leisure, then the relationship I have with the dog fits closely with my definition of slavery. You may love your dog, and your dog may love you as well. Does that change the relationship?

Right or wrong is subjective. Owning a dog as property, whether for companionship or work, is largely accepted in our society. If humans were owned as property by another advanced species, we would certainly consider it to be "wrong". But that advanced species might consider it mundane and acceptable, or "right".

You can knock yourself out with 'your discovery or enlightenment'. Just google 'slavery animal domestication' and have a fun-filled PETA day.

Unfortunately, animals are not looked on as the same as humans. They do have some laws that protect them better, but the penalties are much lower. Also you can easily euthasize a pet, you can't do so with humans.

You can apply slavery to a lot of things.

 

[bluemax]

The kitten caused you to fall down the stairs HEAD FIRST!

Not only did YOU sustain injury, you could have been killed. Let that marinate in her foolish little head.

 

[davew0670]

How much is a cat? $25 $30? Buy her a new one and be done with it.

 

[GasX]

Putting a 3 month old kitten on the floor among a large group of people is grossly irresponsible. I imagine she is deflecting her own sense of guilt by convincing herself that your are solely to blame.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: grrl

Originally posted by: sm8000
She brought the kitten at her own risk.

Exactly, and if a car had hit the cat, she'd sue the driver?

Um yes!? of course i would... if a driver hits my dog id do the same thing...
Animals are living beings.. family members... and property...

it doesnt matter where it happened you were still oblivious to your surroundings and killed her pet.. (damaged her property due you your neglagence..
if you killed an toddler while drunk at your place is it still her fault for bringing it? no its your fault for being a drunken clumbsy oaph...

 

[Miramonti]

Just try and remain sympathetic if you value your friendship with her, even tho there was no negligence on your part to cause your responsibility for the matter. If you choose to offer her some money, then your character is strong for it. If you choose not to, your character isn't any less for it imo. In other words, for you its about your character, not hers. You may never agree on this issue, nor be as good of friends, but either case you can only control yourself and do what is right for you.

 

[iamme]

i didn't go through the three pages of this thread, but does the OP have any recourse for spraining his ankle?

maybe i'm a bit biased since i've sprained my ankle many times from sports, but a sprained ankle could lead to lost wages from work and other consequences. not to mention potential hospital bills and a week's worth of pain.

if the girl had left her skateboard on his steps and he hurt himself from it, wouldn't she be responsible? regardless if the OP said she could let the cat in the house, SHE's responsible for it. you don't let tiny kitten wander the house when there are adults walking around. i don't see how the OP is some horrible person for ACCIDENTALLY stepping on a tiny kitten.

i say, look on craigslist, find someone giving away free kittens and give her one.

 

[Randum]

I wouldnt be able to live with myself.

I have small kittens, and if that happened, i think i would beat the person who did it beyond recognition

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: grrl

Originally posted by: sm8000
She brought the kitten at her own risk.

Exactly, and if a car had hit the cat, she'd sue the driver?

Um yes!? of course i would... if a driver hits my dog id do the same thing...
Animals are living beings.. family members... and property...

it doesnt matter where it happened you were still oblivious to your surroundings and killed her pet.. (damaged her property due you your neglagence..
if you killed an toddler while drunk at your place is it still her fault for bringing it? no its your fault for being a drunken clumbsy oaph...

Firstly you don't know he was drunk, so whatever relevance you think it has, throw that whole argument out. Secondly, a pet is legally considered property, no more valuable than a pair of shoes with the same retail value. If your pair of shoes gets out into the middle of the road and a car runs them over and destroys them, you can not claim negligence on the part of the driver and sue them for damages and emotional distress.

Thirdly, if I go to a party with an egg and put it on the stairs, I can not sue the resident for stepping on it. :roll: If anything, the resident can sue me for negligence if he is injured by the result of my negligent actions, whether or not the egg was actually a kitten that died in the process.

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: veggz
Update: Clover is dead. The girl just sent me a fax with a picture of the kitten and a message generously strewn with obscenities. I think she is going crazy.

btw, i wonder what the exchange between you and her was, prior to the curse-filled, dead kitten pictured message. i mean, were you guys fighting prior which upset her and caused her to send you that fax? perhaps during the night at the vet's office, did you guys go at it?

if so, i can (kind of) understand the angry fax.

but if her first contact to me was a obscene message with a picture of a dead cat.....i'd think she has issues. plus, i'd tell her to go fvck herself for being so rude.

 

[NicePants42]

Originally posted by: dug777
Regardless of her uselessness as an owner:

1) The OP knew of, and gave permission for the cat to run around his house
2)He then failed to take any reasonable care and killed it

Whih emphatically equates to his liability...

Anyone that disagrees with this is completely wrong. The OP clearly states that bringing the cat and then letting in roam free was done with his permission.

"Ok, you can bring the cat..."
"Ok, you can let him run around a little..."
"Ah, my foot! Why weren't you watching your cat! Why are you pissed AT ME? All this was your idea! No, I'm not going to pay the vet bill!"

OP, you are responsible for the cat's death and related expenses. People who argue that the girl acted stupidly are correct, but she could've been the bride of Satan and it'd still be your fault, becasue you gave her permission - you are the one who allowed the situation to develop, AND the one who carelessly stomped the life out of Mr. Fluffykins.

Shadow9d9 also summed it up pretty well.

 

[Blazin Trav]

If you want to be nice and be on good terms:
Buy her a new cat

Medium ground:
Buy new cat, but bill her for any medical fees for you falling down the stairs.

Not be on good terms:
Don't do jack sh!t.

 

[lokiju]

Tell her not to bring her next kitten over to someones house to show it off next time and to STFU.

I love kitties and have two <1 y/o cats currently, but I'm not dumb enough to bring them out of the home and then let them wander around.

I can understand her being upset and all and wouldn't expect her to be friends with your or anything but tough shyte for her.

 

[rh71]

I'm amazed you walk down stairs without looking at what you're stepping on. Surprized it has taken this long for any incident.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

who brings a cat to a party? that strikes me as daft. if she wanted to watch the kitten so much she should of stayed home to look after it

 

[CKent]

Watch where you're going jackass I'd offer to go half/half.

 

[Savij]

Both parties are at fault here. It's one of those things that was called an accident in a simpler day and age. If it were a 4 year old kid that wandered in caused an adult to trip it would be the same thing. There is no fault that should be found or blame that should be laid. Neither party was negligent. It's one of those things that happens in life. Kids break arms when an adult doesn't see them and knocks them down. Kids are scalded and scared for life by pots of hot soup that fall on them when they drop Tonka trucks near the oven. It's not foam padded, rubberized, or sterilized. It's life.

You should have offered to pay vet bills and she shouldn't have demanded that you pay for a new cat. You would not pay for someone to "replace" a child and shouldn't be expected to pay to replace any other "member of the family". To me, it shows what kind of friend she is and should be dealt with according to how good a friend you consider her and how much you're willing to forgive.

 

[Nextman916]

This whole occurance is kinda random, i couldnt ever imagine it happening to me. I would freak out if i saw blood on the carpet, ide be like WTF?!?!

 

[Ime]

Originally posted by: NicePants42

Originally posted by: dug777
Regardless of her uselessness as an owner:

1) The OP knew of, and gave permission for the cat to run around his house
2)He then failed to take any reasonable care and killed it

Whih emphatically equates to his liability...

Anyone that disagrees with this is completely wrong. The OP clearly states that bringing the cat and then letting in roam free was done with his permission.

"Ok, you can bring the cat..."
"Ok, you can let him run around a little..."
"Ah, my foot! Why weren't you watching your cat! Why are you pissed AT ME? All this was your idea! No, I'm not going to pay the vet bill!"

OP, you are responsible for the cat's death and related expenses. People who argue that the girl acted stupidly are correct, but she could've been the bride of Satan and it'd still be your fault, becasue you gave her permission - you are the one who allowed the situation to develop, AND the one who carelessly stomped the life out of Mr. Fluffykins.

Shadow9d9 also summed it up pretty well.

I also hope the OP has homeowner's/renter's insurance. She could sue him easily enough.

 

[CHOPPER GOD]

Chalk it up to an accident....unless you are trying to bang her..tell her to fvck off....If you are cool, be friends and agree to go to Judge Judy and get a road trip[ outta the deal

 

[Icanoutsmokeany1]

Dude, the way I see it she should pay your hospital bill. It'd be like letting one of your kids loose and then he gets hit by a train because you were too stupid to watch your kid. Cats are stupid. You should have said it was already dead when you stepped on it, that'd have been great.