Hi Tom. I personally just don't want to be a part of the animal slaughter industry. That's why I became a vegetarian. All life is precious to me, even bugs. I always take bugs into the garden and try to save their life if they are stuck in the bath etc. I never drown them unless they are hurt and suffering. The times that I have had to kill a bug have been quite distressing to me. I'm 30 now and I haven't eaten meat since I was 15.

As to when it is right to kill an animal, for me it is never "right" but that sometimes it is "necessary". It's necessary to shoot a bear if it is going to attack you and it's necessary to kill bugs if they are going to overrun the home etc. I think self-defense is generally taken as an okay motive to kill - even in regards to killing another human being. If it is necessary to survive, I don't think it is "wrong", but for me personally if it can be avoided, I would prefer to avoid it.

No one has to share my view, I am perfectly okay with that. I am the only vegetarian in my family <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />