RP Introduction (Revised)

Practice of Euthanasia on Stray Animals

In the past, death was always the sensitive and taboo issue that people would seldom directly confront with. But during these recent decades, as the medical technology has become more advanced and progressive, humans now have the ability and power to not only prolong lives , but also to end lives such as through abortion and euthanasia. This research paper will mainly focus on the inhumanity of humans’ practicing euthanasia on stray animals. The problem of increasing stray animals in the societies of different nations has been remained unsolved for many years. A Statistical data from The Social Problem of Stray Animals mentions that every year in the States, approximately 6.5 millions stray animals will be given the operation of euthanasia (Fei 1). This issue can be a very serious one for possibly leading to innocent citizen’s being suddenly attacked by stray animals and the spread of an epidemic disease, such as rabies, caused by these stray animals. Eventually, the safety and hygienic problems will be raised. On the other hand, according to A Report and Review on Animal Shelters in Taiwan, the tragedy is that every year in Taiwan, take Taipei City as an example, several thousands of stray animals will be caught and then moved to those governmental animal shelters or private animal organizations. Up to 55% of these homeless animals will finally be given the operation of euthanasia (Deng). This policy may seem to be the most effective way to decrease the total number of stray animals in the society in the shortest time. However, it is definitely wrong for human beings to end the lives of stray animals via euthanasia only for the sake of humans’ advantage because the fee for each euthanasia operation is expensive and also it seriously offends the origin purpose of animal euthanasia, which is to die peacefully and painlessly. Therefore, the practice of animal euthanasia should be stopped so that more and more innocent stray animals can have a chance to survive.

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Works Cited

Deng, Zhong-hua. “A Report and Review on Animal Shelters in Taiwan.” Life Conservationist Association 30 December 2006<http://www.lca.org.tw/report/c12/c12-9.htm#top>.

Fei, Chang-yong. “The Social Problem of Stray Animals.” The Origin of Stray Animal Problems 15 March 2007 <http://eeweb.gcc.ntu.edu.tw/eeweb_new/e/e005.htm>.