Self defense and law

　The first article reports a real case in which a man killed a mountain lion in order to protect himself and his dog during an attack, and authorities treated the act as self-defense. The second article provides the legal context for such cases, explaining that U.S. self-defense laws, including “Stand Your Ground” principles in some states, can apply not only to human attackers but also to animals. Together, the articles show how courts and law enforcement may justify killing an attacking animal when a person reasonably fears serious harm or death.

About this articles, I think it should be admitted as self defense because the person was possibility to be attacked and killed by the mountain lion. However, it is also right that the lion and his pet have same worth to live, so they should be treated equally. This dilemma can be happened in our human society. I watched the movie ‘A Time To Kill’,though this is not related to this problem, I felt the definition of justice was so ambiguous and be changed depending on personal circumstances. When we discuss about this kind of problem in courtroom, we judge based on combatant’s statements and evidences but we can’t know the truth if witness or combatants related to incidents is died, or they are animals. Judging orthodoxy of killings are difficult tasks and can be more challenging in the case of animal-related crimes.

1. People.com article ：

Saunders, J. (2025, June 3). Arizona man kills mountain lion to protect pet dog from animal attack. People. https://people.com/arizona-man-kills-mountain-lion-protect-pet-dog-animal-attack-11747328  

2. WCTV article （Self-Defense law applies to animal cases）：

Saunders, J. (2024, October 16). Court rules ‘stand your ground’ law applies to cases involving animals after Florida man said he felt threatened, killed pitbull. WCTV. https://www.wctv.tv/2024/10/16/court-rules-stand-your-ground-law-applies-cases-involving-animals-after-florida-man-said-he-felt-threatened-killed-pitbull/  

 

How should we recognize and treat animals?!

In England, the government will be banned to boil lobsters while they are alive for improving animal welfare in England. They are proposing that they must be endure the pain for several minutes when we recognize farm animals as having the same moral status as other animals, and electrical guns or chilling them in cold air can be used as alternatives. These kinds of laws have already been accepted in Switzerland, Norway and New Zealand. The government will strengthen this law and apply it for other animals like octopuses as well. On the other hand, some people argue that this law can be authoritarian control theory and limit the freedom of the citizens. Moreover, the cost of introducing new ways will place a significant burden on fishing industry and seafood sector. 

About this problem, I don’t agree with the policy because the definition of which animal can be treated as the animals having strong will or not. I understand they think but Animals can’t speak and some people speak for them, but it can be said that it is common for plants. I understand their opinion and why this kind of law was conducted, but it is almost impossible to kill animals without pain even if we use the suggested methods. I know this is one of the examples of animal protection, but we have to think about legislating those laws and rethink that the ideas of current animal protection are relatively new and not expanded, it means not all of people understand and agree with this way of thinking.

Courea, E. (2025, December 23). Boiling lobsters alive to be banned in England amid animal cruelty crackdown. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/22/boiling-lobsters-alive-banned-animal-cruelty-crackdown  

David, R. (2025, December 23). Farage slams UK’s live lobster boil ban: ‘Control freakery’ in new cruelty crackdown. International Business Times UK. https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/farage-slams-uks-live-lobster-boil-ban-control-freakery-new-cruelty-crackdown-1765144