The ethics of killing
Posted in: Burning issues, In the news by Lily Barclay , October 28, 2008 – 3:27 pm
A 19-year-old gamekeeper, at the Kempton estate in south Shropshire, received a six-month suspended prison sentence last month for killing legally protected species, including badgers and buzzards.
Kyle Burden’s actions came to light when two other gamekeepers witnessed him clubbing badgers that were still caught in a snare and shooting buzzards with a shotgun. They reported him to the RSPB.
The police later found Burden’s coded diary, which allegedly related to a tally of the animals he had illegally killed, which suggested he shot 102 buzzards, 40 ravens and 37 badgers. The legal deaths of more than 300 rabbits were also apparently noted alongside the coded entries.
The paradox in this case came when the magistrate was told that Burden killed these buzzards and badgers to protect his pheasants, which are farmed for organised shoots. He was partially responsible for preparing these events, which reportedly cost £1650 per participant.
The case has been emotive and has aroused a lot of public interest. After all, public attitudes to wildlife, such as badgers and buzzards, have changed considerably in the past century.
Some commentators have noted that, a few decades ago, magistrates would have commended Burden’s efforts as a dedicated countryman protecting his pheasants. Alasdair Mitchell, spokesman for the National Gamekeepers Organisation argues that the media doesn’t distinguish between protected and endangered species, even though some populations have increased 400% since the 1950s.
So where do we draw the line? I feel there is no excuse for the illegal killing of animals, especially in the brutal and systematic way shown in this case. But what happens when an animal becomes a conservation icon for one section of society and a pest to another?
This is the second jail sentence (although suspended) issued for the killing of protected birds of prey, but it is unlikely to be the last.
Comments
He should have got much longer for what that man done. Disgusting. If it was up to me, I’d have shot him.
Concerned Wildlife fanatic.
Flag as inappropriateSo let me get this straight, something which is an inconvienience to those who wish to indulge in bloodsports is now a ‘pest’? Unbelieveable. His vigour in protecting ‘his’ pheasants is touching, would they even exist were it not for the pleasure some derive by killing them in the name of sport?
Flag as inappropriateThe unjust killing of animals is never acceptable. This man says he was protecting his stock, which are also destined to be killed, and what for, FINANCIAL GAIN. It is dispicable. Maybe my neighbours are not altogether socially acceptable and infringe on my privacy, my property and my lifestyle, but can I go out and shoot them or batter them to death, NO. We are all animals so why should there be a line drawn which says some species are dispensible for no other reason than sport and money, and others are not. Life is life and as such all life should be valued and individuals should not be allowed to destroy it because they want to.
Flag as inappropriateI wish I had a magic wand so that I could turn these ’sports’ people into the creatures they prey on. The guns may not be given out or used so readily then. Why should creatures that can’t fight back be so abused? These people are totally despicable - and it makes my blood boil when yobs of whatever age act brutishly then are called animals!
Flag as inappropriateCAN UNDERSTAND NEED FOR KEEPING NUMBERS DOWN BUT THESE KIND OF ACTIONS NEED TO BE STAMPED OUT KILLING BIRDS OF PREY IS TOTAL OUT OF ORDER
Flag as inappropriateI say the punishment for these types of things is do to them what they’ve done to the poor defenceless animals - this 19 year old ‘man’ should have been snared and then clubbed. Then maybe shot in the kneecap with a shotgun.
Flag as inappropriateIt makes my heart bleed when I think of what happened to these wild animals - how scared must they have been? Were they killed outright with the first club or in agony and wondering what on earth was happening?
Who cares? It’s just a load of smelly old badgers and birds! Some people want to get their priorities right. They’re JUST ANIMALS!
Flag as inappropriateMy mother contracted TB from her pet dog who caught it from Badgers. Mother lost perhaps 10 years of her life. The much loved pet dog had to be killed by vet because it had TB.
Our current garden lawn looks like a ploughed field beause of badgers digging for food.
I love badgers like anyone else but there is a price to pay. Maybe culling them should be considered.
Flag as inappropriateAnd so are you Helen. You would do well to remember that.
Flag as inappropriatethere is no justification in any way shape or form to kill any wild animal.I think itis about time the so called superior human race realised that it is more dependent on the animal kingdoms cotinuing exsistance than they realise.
Flag as inappropriateSpeak for yourself Gertie!
Flag as inappropriateI would say the only time it is justified to kill an animal is when it threatens an ecosystem - like the introduced cane toads in Australia which are spreading across the continent and, by being poisonous to anything that eats them, destroying native wildlife. I also read in the Observer last week about a man who shoots grey squirrels to give the native reds a chance…again I don’t condemn him though I couldn’t do it myself.
Flag as inappropriateAs for the article here about killing native wildlife to protect (introduced) game birds so he can make big money from allowing people to shoot them; I can see nothing good in this in the slightest and would have sent him down for longer.
There is NEVER ANY justification for killing any animal, wether it is wild or domestic. The only time we have a RIGHT to end the life an animal is when it is so ill or so badly injured that it is impossible to save it. Just who does the human race think it is, why do we think we have this right over other animals. The only animals on this planet that need culling are the HUMAN animals, we are the ones who’s number should be greatly reduced, we are the ones who are destroying the planet, we are the biggest evolutionary mistake ever, and hopefully one day we will pay big time for the atrocities we have carried out in the name of: Science, Sport, Fashion, and food, at times I’m ashamed to be a member of the human race. SU HAY
Flag as inappropriateHey Helen, so your not inteligent enough to realise your an animal, well going by your coments that figures, its a great shame people like you don’t get strangled at birth the world would most certainly be a much better place without the likes of you.
Flag as inappropriateI would like to use this opportunity (whilst talking animal cruelty)to alert like minded people to the atrociuos practises on CHINESE fur farms. Cats and dogs are often skined alive and continue to live on in what must be unbeliveable agony for quite some time afterwards, some very brave souls from PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals) have gone undercover to film this happening. Please don’t bye anything that you even suspect might be fur and boycot any business that sells anything with fur in or on it. There IS NO SUCH THING AS ETHICAL FUR. FUR = pain and suffering
Flag as inappropriateThe good resource should be brought in bookmarks
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