The last time I went fishing, I had to put a channel catfish out of its misery because the hook had gone too far back and caught deeply into its throat. In order to end its suffering, however, it was challenging, our camp was under prepared, and a kitchen kinfe had to be gotten. It was a sad task made worse by the inefficiency of the knife. With some work, the fish was released from its agony. But to have had to suffer for the few minutes it did for the way that it did... well needless to say... the last time I went fishing will be the last time I ever go fishing with a hook and reel.

We carried out a small dissection of the catfish afterwards, the belly was full of eggs... this made me feel worse that for no reason other than the pleasure of the hunt (... fishing), we had ended its life...

Surely, in the course of our daily lives, we kill many things unknowingly... bacteria... small invertebrates... little can be done about these. But it is when we are consciously aware... we must try to prevent such cruelty!

I don't want to belittle this act of cruelty, but it's doubtful that your grandstanding will ever reach these two young men.

Cheers,

I was not "grandstanding." I was speaking to the two fish killers and actually hope they DO read this, or that someone they know reads it. Maybe it could stop the slide into killing other life forms besides this family's fish.

But it is unlikely that either the killers or someone they know will actually read this. The killers will likely be amused by your statements, and if anything, this will provide stimulus for them to continue their actions. People like this are cruel, and a post on the Internet will not influence them otherwise, sadly.

Cruelty to fish happens every day. Most people don't even realize they're doing it. If you don't understand, just try to browse in the Pets department at your local WalMart or other large Pet chain stores and listen to the conversations between potential buyers among themselves or with store employees.

Furthermore, to say you are speaking to the two killers, it is somewhat like standing in the middle of field and making these comments. Even if you shout at the top of your lungs, it is not likely that they will be reached.

Monsters like these will only be encouraged by knowing how reviled they are. You could even take your comments to a main stream media site and comment on an article covering this story there, or on a more populous blog, but it is still unlikely to reach the killers. But if it did reach them... it would probably only bolster them, giving them a sense of infamy.

Truly, this is a no-win situation. We can only hope justice prevails and some punishment is metted out, and that these individuals realize that they have indiscriminately abused helpless creatures and that they have caused pain to the owners of these fish.

Well said Julie!

I don't think I'd want them around rescued animals. Those poor babies usually have enough problems.

It would not take that much time to merely carry out such an act, stricter parental monitoring is not the issue, what is likely the issue is how they were raised when the parents WERE around!

Yes, to make them do work to reprimand them is a good punishment! But something more lasting as well should be added, obviously, they carry out this act not understanding the true wonder of the creatures they have so injured.

They should be made to make amends, but then also required to participate in wildlife and animal volunteer programs.

Boy that's really creepy. Maybe his goal is to be another Dr. Death.

this comment has been removed from the system