I am all for the war against the senseless and inhumane treatment of animals. But I do draw the line when a group like PETA oversteps the term “Ethical” by waging a campaign against people who hunt and fish in
I am all for the war against the senseless and inhumane treatment of animals. But I do draw the line when a group like PETA oversteps the term “Ethical” by waging a campaign against people who hunt and fish in an “Ethical” and humane manner. There are times when animals have to be killed for reasons other than food and in many instances it is often to prevent illness, spread of diseases, erosion, etc. I used to support their efforts but it seems that they have since ventured onto the road of fanatical and unreasonable fervor of unimaginable heights. I wonder what they do when flies and cockroaches invade their homes. Do they kindly escort them outside? Have they started a campaign against pest exterminating companies who don’t eat what they kill as opposed to a hunter or fisherman does?
The letter they sent to Anthony Wichman after his boat was capsized by an Ahi was so ridiculously comical that it left me dumbfounded to say the least. It even made national news as reported to me by family members on the Mainland. I am not a Bible thumper but in Genesis 9:3 it reads “Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.”
Also in Proverbs 12:10 it speaks about the proper treatment of animals in man’s care stating “The righteous person looks out for the welfare of his livestock, but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.”
Mr. Wichman, I thank all those involved in your rescue that you have arrived back to your family safely. However, I would not lose any sleep over receiving a letter from an organization who was exposed and criticized by U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe for giving grants to two organizations identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as agents of domestic terrorism.
Latest studies prove that fish do not have a brain system or pain receptors and that their reaction when caught is an instinctive reaction to a threatening situation. Fish have been injected with bee venom, stuck with needles near their mouths and operated on and immediately put back in its environment without any signs of stress or struggle.
To me, there are a lot more serious matters that affect the safety and well-being of earth’s natural resources and mankind than over reaching to further their cause.
• Dominic Acain is a Kekaha resident.
