Francene - Views on news
  • BLOG
  • About
  • Contact

How should we be judged for an act of mercy?

1/24/2015

6 Comments

 
Picture
When is an act cruel? That's what I'm struggling with. I did something so awful as a young woman that I worry over it still. The subject came to mind in a recent news about a disciplinary hearing from Ireland.

Police officers battered a badly injured deer with a crowbar. But they will not be sacked despite being found guilty of gross misconduct.

Originally, they were sent to look at the injured deer. However, the animal managed to stand up. After contacting an animal welfare expert, they were advised them to leave the deer alone.

After receiving another report two days later, they were sent to look at the same deer and found its condition had deteriorated significantly. They believed the animal to be already dead, having showing no signs of movement. And yet one of the two men hit the animal several times.

If the deer was dead, why did they bash it? That seems senseless unless they wanted the satisfaction of brutality. In my opinion, they wanted to end the animal's suffering and gave a false statement.

The panel "accepted evidence that the animal was fatally ill, would not have survived and that without action the animal would have suffered unnecessarily".

The court found heir actions "were not borne from cruelty", but said the deer should have been killed with a firearm.

The officers, who will remain on a final written warning for 18 months, were moved to a response unit in the force following the incident, where they will remain. See The Telegraph story.

But, if the animal was near to death, why didn't they leave nature to take its course?

My own action as a young woman could have been just as bad. What happened in the mid sixties remains clear to me, yet I know I should have left the creature to the fate it faced.

Picture
On a warm afternoon in South Australia, I stepped outside into our back garden dressed in a mini skirt and sandaled feet.

Our cat, Simba, an otherwise adorable Siamese, had brought home a live field-mouse rather than a limp body. And, as cats do, he threw his prey into the air, caught it several times, and then held the motionless mouse under his paw. I called out, hoping to stop the game. However, Simba lifted his paw, allowed the mouse to run, and then pounced again. Over and over. My yelling did no good. The mouse staggered and ran sideways, bleeding from the neck, obviously injured. How long would the mouse need to suffer?

I can't remember if I tried to grab the wily cat. That's what I should have done. But the poor mouse would not have recovered.

Whimpering with pity for the tiny creature, I looked around for some way to help—to stop its pain. The flimsy stick I found did no good to end it's misery. But, I didn't strike hard enough and the mouse staggered a few more steps. May God forgive me, I landed several more desperate blows until it lay motionless, wishing I'd never started on the course of action that could only end one way.

Weighed down with guilt and the horror of my actions, I sobbed.

I'd made the whole situation worse for the mouse. If only I'd left the animals to their fate. The cat couldn't be blamed for behaving in a natural manner, the mouse hadn't asked for help. The only guilty one was me.

I learned several lessons that day. Number one: I was flawed just like every human. Number two: Each creature is precious. Number three: Don't start a course of action unless you plan to finish. I only hope the Great Judge will issue a lenient sentence to me.


6 Comments
Amar Naik link
1/23/2015 06:40:42 pm

i think we humans need to understand that this planet belongs to all types of plants&animals. and not only humans. we should learn from mistakes and try to avoid repeating them.

Reply
Ashley link
1/23/2015 06:53:32 pm

I think intention plays a big part in our actions. Yes, it is unfortunate that the mouse had extra suffering and perhaps there was a different way to handle it. There are pros and cons to how the situation was handled, but as Amar said, learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them.

Reply
Inderpreet Kaur Uppal link
1/23/2015 08:42:34 pm

Nature is quite cruel and we feel helpless at times. I have seen my own dog catching a mouse and playing with it. I was a child and was fascinated that a dog could do it.
Never realized the cruelty of it. Now as an adult I try to be careful around helpless animals.
We learn lessons all the time.

Reply
Alana link
1/24/2015 09:15:22 am

You learned an important lesson. It was sad that a helpless creature had to suffer, but. But. The important thing is that you were horrified and have mentally suffered. You learned this lesson and I don't think you need to worry about any afterlife reviews on this incident.

Reply
Ajay Pai link
1/24/2015 10:05:49 am

I guess your intention was to end the misery of mouse. Do not worry, the deed would definitely be forgiven.

Reply
Suzy link
1/24/2015 03:57:00 pm

I think the Great Spirit looks at our intentions and He is always merciful and since your intention was good no need to worry.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories
    news
    earth
    sea
    space
    environment
    people
    animals
    fish
    birds 

    experience 
    writing
    novels

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.