Originally Posted by
putzin
I enjoy our animals, will always take care of them when able, but I'll always take the people. An animal is just that, an animal, no ability to reason other than be loyal to the next person that hands them a scrap of food.
That definition covers a LOT of people, too: eg, no ability to reason, completely dependent on handouts of food, welfare, etc.
People on other hand can do great things when encouraged, trained and supported, just as many of us have been. We can live without animals, not so much without each other.
Animals can also do many great things when they are trained and supported. Blind assist dogs, deaf assist dogs, all for human beings. In fact, animals like dogs are SO good at their job, that people exploit them via FAKE "service animal" jackets and documents to take them everywhere for free. Or pay $79 online to get ESA documentation and now no one can question it.